What is Kumquat?

kumquat is a fruit that resembles miniature orange. Sometimes it is wrong for citrus fruit, but actually belongs to the Fortunella family. Kumquat, also speaking cumquat , has thin, sweet skin with cake, sour meat. Kumquat can be consumed by a whole, although some consider its juicy center to be too acidic. The kumquat tree has dark, shiny green leaves and carries white flowers. The fruit itself is oval and elongated or round and moves from gold yellow to red-orange color when it is ripe.

kumquat is considered originally from China because it was described in Chinese literature as early as 1178. Kumquat trees require a growth of warm summer, but lasts 10 to 15 frost -free and entered the winter dormants that may take several weeks of warmer weather. Kumquat can be grown in regions too cold for citrus fruits, such as the tea area in China, although fruits from warmer areas grow to greater size and taste sweet.

kumquat is rarely grown from seeds because the trees do not survive long on their own roots. In China and Japan, as well as in Florida and California, grafting on trifoliate orange produces the best plants. Sometimes they are also grafted for acidic orange and grapefruit.

Four types of kumquat are currently accepted by horticultural companies and are used for food. Hong Kong's wild kumquat ( Fortunella Hindsii ) is growing to thorny bushes from Hong Kong and neighboring areas of China and is gathered there in the season, but is used only decoratively in other parts of the world. Marumi ( fortunella japonica ) kumquat is yellow and round. Meiwa ( Fortunella Crassifolia ) is possible ahybrid of these two and has a stronger, sweeter pulp. The most common in the United States is oval nagami kumquat ( fortunella margarita ), which is in the season since October Don January.

kumquat is often candied or used to produce canning and jelly. In China, Kumquats is sometimes kept in sugar syrup and are sold in restaurants as desserts, or are preserved in salt and are served with saltness mixed with hot water to treat sore throat. Kumquat liqueur can be made by soaking the fruit in a clear spirit. Kumquats are also added to salads and are also used to produce jam and sauces.