Read 58 times since Friday, September 02, 2011
Most people have never even heard of a kumquat, pronounced "come-quat". These tiny little oblong, oval-shaped orange citrus fruits can be found in California, Florida, and probably other places as well.
They will still grow when it is cold. But they do better in the warmer climates.
They are about the size of an olive and they are a lot of fun to eat if you want to have a little adventure in an unexpected taste.
The first thing that you will notice is the sweet, pleasant flavor of the rind. Then, you will be surprised by the tart juicy center. Eaten whole the flavors combine for a unique experience that is delightful.
They grow on little bush-type trees. If you ever go to Disneyland and ride on the driving range in the little miniature cars, you will see many of these little tree bushes along the side.
You can reach out and grab a few and just pop them directly into your mouth. Or, you can bite one in half and then bite the other half after that.
There may be little seeds, but they can either be discarded or eaten without much notice. The seeds have beneficial qualities that help to kill virus and bacteria though, so you may want to just chew the little soft seeds and not worry about it.
Strangely, the inside has a tart flavor, but, the orange rind tastes like a sweet citrus-y orange or tangerine flavor. The orange rind is so thin that it's almost inconsequential, just a little chewy.
Together, the rind and the inside juicy fruit taste delicious. These little fruits are thought to have originated from China, but they are common in the Asian countries and in the warmer states of America.
Each bushy tree can produce up to about 40 of the fruits. They make an awesome and interesting snack.
You can also slice them up and add them to salads for a contrasting garnish and taste sensation. Because the skin has limolene in it, it has been found to be helpful for the immune system and as a cleaning aid.
If you know what orange marmalade tastes like, then you will have a bit of an inkling into what a kumquat will taste like. If you cook it, it loses some of its acidity but maintains the orange sweetness of its rind.
There are various ways that people like to preserve it. It can be preserved with salt or sugar to bring out the exquisite flavor sensation.
The little kumquats can make a really nice addition to jams, preserves, marmalades, drinks, and in a snack tray.
Whenever you want a unique orange flavor added to some of your various main dishes, you should try out some kumquats to add a culinary flair. Destry Masterson is a health and nutrition expert. She publishes articles for http://www.foodstoragereviews.com and recommends them for food storage.
Contact Info:
Destry Masterson - MyOnlineArticleWriting@gmail.com - Twitter: @DestryMasterson
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