I remember the first time seeing kumquat. We were sitting outside in a restaurant in Croatia, that was surrounded by small kumquat trees. They emitted a fresh sweet and citrusy fragrance, and the fruits resembled a combination between a lime, orange and olive. I never heard of this fruit up until this point and was intrigued to find out more about it. What I was mostly curious about was its taste. And when trying kumquat for the first time, be ready for a surprise! I quickly became a fan of this tiny fruit, and today I want to share with you more about it, so you know what to expect when you give it a try too. 🙂

Health Benefits 

Kumquats contain a good amount of fiber, which is important for digestive health and for controlling the blood sugar levels. A diet rich in fiber can reduce the risk of developing diabetes, prevents bloating and can help with weight loss. Consuming eight raw kumquats will give you about 30% of the daily recommended dietary fiber. Rich in Vitamin C and A, these tiny fruits work to increase the activity of your immune system, which keeps your body protected from infections and bacteria. Those two vitamins are also playing important roles to make your skin supple and improve hair and vision. The antioxidant compounds in them help fight free radicals and prevent early ageing signs. Kumquats contain a lot of minerals as well, such as calcium (8 kumquats will give you about 10% of your daily recommendation), iron, magnesium and potassium. When eating kumquats, make sure you eat the whole fruit (peel and everything) to get its full range of nutrients. The skin especially contains essential oils like limonene, pinene and a-bergamotene, which have beneficial effects on the body.

How to select and store

Choose kumquats that are firm with a bright orange colour. Avoid fruits that are green, as they are not ripe, or that have soft spots. Store them in a brown bag in the fridge for a few days, or keep them on your counter if you are going to eat them in the next two days.

How to eat 

Unlike oranges, you eat the entire kumquat. This means skin and all. Actually don’t miss out on the peel, as it is sweet! The inside of the fruit is rather sour, but when you enjoy it whole you will feel as if there is a flavour explosion in your mouth. The sweetness of the peel and sourness of the inside complement each-other perfectly! I did found myself squirming when I first tried it, but then had to go back for more! Kumquats are also great pickled, and you will find them in many desserts and cocktail recipes, because of their unique flavour.

Have you ever tried kumquats? What did you think of them?