Common Name: Kumquat
Vernacular Name: Kinkan
Botanical Name: Citrus fortunella
Specimens From: China
The "cute baby of oranges". As this fruit originated from China, the name of this fruit is actually in Cantonese (a dialect of Chinese). What does kumquat means? This fruit name is a direct translation, literally means "golden mandarin baby" (mandarin as in mandarin orange. But it is not a small orange nor a mandarin.
Depending on the few known species of kumquat, the shape is either round or oval. Green when unripe and will turn yellow to orange in colour. It is nice to eat it as a snack and it is easy to eat as no peeling is required, unlike oranges.
Kumquat can be eaten whole, including the thin skin but not counting the seeds. In fact, the skin is the sweetest and the center of the fruit is sour. So end up with a blend of juicy sweet and sour taste.
Kumquat; Citrus fortunella; Aurantioideae; Rutaceae.
Other fruits in the same family: Blood Orange, Bael
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I'm going to look for this fruit at my local storekeeper. I´m not sure, but I think there is a season, where this fruit can be found in Sweden.
ReplyDeleteI understand it is also grown in some parts of Europe but not exactly sure where. Hope you find it
ReplyDeleteThese really look a lot like the wild persimmons that grow around here in the southern US. I wonder if they're related?
ReplyDeleteI love kumquats, and so do my children. We pop them whole, like grapes and we've never had any trouble with the seeds.
ReplyDeleteTo hszoo:
ReplyDeleteNo, persimmons are unrelated to kumquat. It's in a different family and it is usually much smaller too, only the colour looks similar. Thanks for dropping by.
To Dana:
ReplyDeleteOh no, you ate the seeds too? I can't stomach it. It's bitter and hard. Anyway, thanks for dropping by
The persimmons that grow wild around here are only about 2 inches long and have those large flat seeds in them. That's what reminded me of them..lol. But, you can't eat the persimmons until after a frost has hit them. Then they're super sweet. Before a frost, they are impossibly bitter.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, baby persimmons. Yes, those species are astringent when unripe.
ReplyDeleteI love kumquats & all manner of "exotic" & unusual fruits! This is such a great blog that I've given it a link on the "Cool Foodie Blogs" section of my blog, http://cookingwithcorey.blogspot.com. Hope you'll get a kick out of being featured on my blog!
ReplyDeleteHi CP
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice compliment. Linked-up with you too. Feel free to drop by often. Cheers from Fruity
I have a small tree full of green kumquats right now. I'm eagerly awaiting them!
ReplyDeletexo
kittee
Hi Kittee
ReplyDeleteWhen it turn orange, let me know. I'll be a fruit fly to eat some of them :) Thanks for dropping by
Cheers from Fruity
Mmm, I LOVE kumquats!
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog- I really like what you've done so far.
Thanks Peggy, glad you like it. Fly by whenever you can :) Cheers from Fruity
ReplyDeletethe skin is edible? really interesting! am loving your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteLook is deceiving but the skin tastes sweeter than the pulp inside. Drop by whenever you can.
ReplyDeleteA great use for these are kumquat tea! It's delicious!
ReplyDeleteI'll try and post a recipe on my site sometime for you!
Thanks Mel! Will appreciate that. If there's photo, it will be great
ReplyDeletewow....New one......Have never seen this before...I don't think we get it in US right...Looks so juicy though....Nice one Fruity :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's easier to eat than an orange. Likely to be found only in those Chinese-owned grocery shop..
ReplyDeleteNice name ,pretty color, sweet taste . wonderful !
ReplyDeletesuman
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wonderful fruit!!! I love Kumquats!!! This is a great blog!!
ReplyDelete