Kumquats - Kumkat

What is Kumquat?
Kumquat (kumquat) is a very useful fruit and means 'golden orange' in Chinese. It can be eaten with its shell and core. It can be added to desserts, salads and meals. Jam, marmalade, even pickles can be made. Kumquat is a very rich source of vitamin C. It protects from many diseases with the minerals it contains. This medicinal plant, which is also a powerful antioxidant, strengthens the immune system, lowers bad cholesterol and balances diabetes. Since the amount of calories is very low, it is an ideal snack for those who are on a diet to lose weight.

Kumquat is an orange, sour-sweet fruit slightly larger than a grape. Kumquat, a member of the citrus family, grows on dwarf trees that do not exceed four meters in height. Its leaves are glossy dark green, fruiting in autumn and reaching full maturity between January and March. The cowbird, whose homeland is China, grows in regions with Mediterranean climate in our country.

Other common names include kumquat, ornamental tangerine and golden orange. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. It is a very medicinal and delicious fruit.

How to eat?

The fruit of the kumquat is sour, and the peel is sweet. For this reason, it is best to eat it with its shell. However, before eating in this way, it should be thoroughly washed and dried with a paper towel, then it should be gently rolled between the fingers to mix the sweet-sour taste. The longer it is chewed, the better it tastes. If the peel is desired to be softened before eating, it should be immersed in boiling water for about 20 seconds and removed. If desired, it can be rinsed in cold water, but this is not necessary.

Kumquat seeds can also be eaten. It has the same bitter taste as orange seeds. However, if you do not want to eat the core, the kumquat can be divided into two and the seeds can be removed. Or the seeds can be easily spit out while eating with the shell. If you do not want to eat kumquat with its skin, it can be drunk by cutting the tip of the fruit and absorbing the juice, since it is difficult to peel the skin with a knife.

What to make?
Marmalade, jam and jelly can be made. It tastes great especially with fruits like blood orange, cranberry or pineapple. It can be added to homemade ice creams. It can be added to homemade breads. It can be added to desserts such as cakes, pies or cookies. It can be used in making sweets by making syrup. Pickle can be established. It can be sliced ​​and added raw to salads or used as a salad dressing. Seafood pairs especially well with kumquat, but it doesn't need to be sauced and marinated. Instead, it can be used as a garnish like lemon. Cooking kumquat softens its acid, so it can be added to meat and chicken dishes. It can be added to herbal teas sliced.

Little Tips
You can cut the kumquats in half horizontally, remove the seeds, remove the fleshy part with a teaspoon and add it to fruit salads or ice cream. You can store the hollow shells of kumquat, which you eat by absorbing its water, in airtight containers and use it by grating it for desserts such as cakes and pies when necessary. You can dip the cut ends of the kumquat in a mixture of beaten egg whites and honey, then freeze it in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon and eat it as a fancy dessert. Because of its intense flavor, kumquat pairs well with bitter greens such as chicory or arugula. You can cut the fruit in two, remove the seeds gently, slice it very thinly with a sharp knife and decorate the salads you have prepared.