A small round to oval citrus
fruit, the kumquat resembles a tiny orange. The kumquat grows on trees that
originated in China. It can be found in California, Florida, the Mediterranean
countries, China, Japan, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Peru, and Brazil.
Varieties
Kumquat hybrids, when crossed
with other citrus fruits, include the limequat, lemonquat, orangequat, and the
calamondin (a cross with the mandarin orange).
Buying and storing tips
Kumquats are occasionally sold
with a decorative stem and leaves attached. Avoid fruits with damaged skin and
those that feel soft.
Availability
The peak season for kumquats is
November through February.
Preparation, Uses, and Tips
In this fruit, the rind is
edible, tender, and sweet, while the flesh can be dry and very tart, compared
with oranges. Kumquats are usually eaten raw, as whole fruit, excluding the
seeds. They make a striking garnish, especially when used with the leaves still
attached. As with other citrus fruit, kumquats can be candied, marinated,
prepared as marmalade, added to fruit salad, poached, or preserved whole.
Nutritional Highlights
- Kumquat (raw), 1 fruit (19g)
- Calories: 12
- Protein: 0.17g
- Carbohydrate: 3.1g
- Total Fat: 0.02g
- Fiber: 1.25g
- *Good source of: Vitamin C (7.1mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent
source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily
Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between
10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.
Health benefits and concerns
Allergies and sensitivities (food
and chemical)
A low-allergen diet, also known
as an elimination diet, is often recommended to people with suspected food
allergies in order to find out if avoiding common allergen foods gives relief
from symptoms. This diet eliminates foods and food additives considered to be
common allergens, including citrus fruits. Some popular books offer guidance to
people who want to attempt this type of diet. Most elimination diets are quite
restrictive and increase the likelihood of nutritional deficiencies. A
successful elimination diet is usually followed by reintroduction of eliminated
foods one at a time, to see which ones are truly allergens for the individual person
and therefore need to be eliminated indefinitely. Strict avoidance of
allergenic foods for a period of time (usually months or years) sometimes
results in the foods no longer causing allergic reactions. Restrictive
elimination diets and food reintroduction should be supervised by a qualified
healthcare professional.
Hives
Allergy to foods and food
additives is a common cause of hives, especially in chronic cases. Citrus
fruits are among those foods most commonly reported to trigger hives. Numerous
clinical studies demonstrate that diets that are free of foods that commonly
trigger allergic reactions typically produce significant reductions in symptoms
in 50–75% of people with chronic hives. People with hives should investigate
the possibility that food allergies are causing their problem by consulting
with a doctor.
Kidney stones
Citric acid is found in citrus
fruits and may protect against kidney stone formation. Lemons are the best food
source commonly available. One preliminary trial found that drinking 2 liters
(approximately 2 quarts) of lemonade per day improved the quality of the urine
in ways that are associated with stone prevention. Lemonade was far more
effective than orange juice. The lemonade was made by mixing 4 oz lemon juice
with enough water to make 2 liters. The smallest amount of sweetener possible
should be added to make the taste acceptable. Further study is necessary,
however, to determine if lemonade can prevent recurrence of kidney stones.
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