How do you eat kumquats? I’ll tell you one simple thing to do so that your little citrus fruit tastes much sweeter! And yes, you do eat the skin!
Do you like kumquats? Do you know how to eat a kumquat?
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Maybe I should back up and make sure you know what kumquats are? I had never heard of them or tried one before I had lived in California for many years, and when I did, I must say I wasn’t fond of their tart flavors.
A couple of years ago, a friend explained to me that in Taiwan they do one simple thing with these little orange fruits (which is rather counterintuitive to do at first, or at least it was to me) and immediately, the kumquat becomes so incredibly sweet! No, adding sugar or a sweetener is not the trick. So there will be no more asking “how do you eat kumquats” after reading this post.
What is a Kumquat?
Kumquats are tiny, oblong-shaped, bright orange citrus fruits (Nagami is the most popular variety of kumquats in the US) with a rather thick skin, considering how small the they are. They have a bit of sweetness to them, but the overall flavor is quite sour when eaten as is. Meiwa kumquats are another variety which are more spherical, have a thinner skin and are more sweet. I grow the Nagami kumquats which are a combination of tart and sweet.
Although they can be eaten fresh, they are wonderful when used for marmalade, lots of citrus dishes, and even liqueurs and cocktails.
I thought I knew how to eat a kumquat, however, there’s a secret to eating fresh kumquats, which I had never heard of, but it makes all the difference in how they taste.
How do You Eat Kumquats
(So that they taste sweeter!)
Are you on the edge of your seat? Here’s the secret: squeeze out the juice! Yes! Believe it or not, a kumquat is completely the opposite of most citrus fruit: the juice is sour and the skin is sweet!
Isn’t that strange? Not only does this make the kumquat sweeter, but it also gets rid of the seeds! Here’s how to do it.
After washing your kumquat, nibble off the skin at the top.
Now squeeze the juice out from the top of the fruit.
Pop the kumquat into your mouth and enjoy the sweet flavor, without any of the sour taste of the juice! Now you know the best way to eat a kumquat!
Can you eat the skin of a kumquat?
Of course the skin of a kumquat is more than edible, it’s actually the sweetest part of the fruit (Nagami variety).
What do kumquats taste like? Do they taste like oranges?
Kumquats have a flavor of their own, and as you’ll learn, the juice is quite sour, whilst the skin is sweet (when fully ripe). They don’t taste like oranges because they are a different fruit, however, they are still citrus, so it won’t be a shocking flavor you will be surprised by.
Are kumquats good for you? Nutritional benefits.
Fresh and cooked kumquats are a great addition to your diet. They are full of fiber, low in sugar, calories (great for diabetics), have almost no fat and zero cholesterol. In addition, they are filled with lots of antioxidants, and vitamins, too. You can pick them up at grocery stores over winter months as they are in season from December to March.
Tips for cooking with kumquats.
- Given that these citrus fruits are so small, be careful when cutting them. Always use a secured cutting board (place a damp paper towel under your board so that it doesn’t slip).
- Use a sharp knife that will cut the fruit easily.
- Be sure to remove the seeds, but that’s all. Remember that you should eat the peel.
Kumquat Recipes
Given that I have had a generous amount of kumquats from my potted kumquat tree on my patio for the last several years, you might say I’ve turned into a sort of kumquat expert! I love cooking and baking with this tiny citrus fruit, and am also delighted to share those recipes with you. Here is a collection of recipes, including some from other recipe creators, which I’ve hand-picked myself (pun intended)! Ha ha!
11 Kumquat Recipes from Breakfast to Cocktails
Since writing this post, I’ve added a recipe for a kumquat cake with orange glaze.
It is truly as sweet as candy! I have told several other friends who have been just as amazed as I was, but so pleasantly surprised. Also, they have very little juice, so it’s not really being wasteful.
If you have tried kumquats in the past and turned your nose up to them, I hope you’ll give them another chance. And if you have never tasted them, don’t forget to try this method. Kumquats are not only delicious, but they are very good for you! Share this with others who may not know how to eat kumquats, too!
How to Eat a Kumquat To Make It Taste As Sweet As Candy
How to make a kumquat taste sweeter, naturally.
Materials
- kumquats
Tools
- none needed
Instructions
- After washing your kumquat, nibble off the skin at the top.
- Now squeeze the juice out from the top of the fruit.
- Pop the kumquat into your mouth and enjoy the sweet flavor, without any of the sour taste of the juice! Easy and delicious!
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how do you eat kumquats?
Totally happened upon this post many years after you put it up. I have no idea how I got here, probably looking for a picture of fruit. I just want to say thank you for inspiring me to taste my first kumquat. Be safe and well. -Joy
You are so sweet to let me know, Joyanne! Thank YOU! I truly appreciate your note :)
Having eaten kumquats my entire 60 years, I find it strange that you refer to kumquats as sour.
Non-ripe kumquats are certainly not as sweet as the ripe fruit, but if allowed to stay on the tree (and the picker learns to tell the ripe fruit from the not quite ripe fruit) they get very sweet.
Granted, I live 300 miles north of your area, but the climate variance isn’t huge.
Out of the 4 kumquat trees I own, only the indio-mandarianquat is predictably sour. The other three are sweet when allowed to tree ripen. (I have a nagami, a meiwa, and a fukushu)
Hi Carl, most people aren’t going to have the luxury of picking kumquats from their trees, but will buy them from a store or perhaps a farmer’s market. Just like other fruit and veg, it won’t be as good as the homegrown variety. The juice is normally sour, however, I agree, when completely ripe it is sweeter.
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