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Kumquat what kind of fruit, useful properties, calorie content of dried and fresh fruit. Kumquat - what is it? What kind of dried kinkan fruit

Botanical name: Kumquat or Kinkan. Belongs to the genus Kumquat, Rutovye family. Selected in the subgenus Fortunella, numbering 6 species of kumquat.

Homeland of the kumquat: Southeast Asia.

Lighting: bright, scattered.

The soil: light, nutritious, fertile, containing leaf humus, sod, vermiculite and coarse sand.

Watering: moderate.

Maximum tree height: 4.5 m

Average life expectancy: 40 years.

Landing: seeds, cuttings, layering, grafting.

Kumquat plant: what is it?

Kumquat is a low, evergreen shrub with a compact spherical dense crown, reaching 2.5-4.5 m in height. The leaves are oblong-elliptical, green, entire. Flowers are bisexual, white-pink, fragrant. Blooms in July-August. Flowering lasts 5-7 days. After 2-3 weeks, the tree may bloom again. The fruits are elongated oval or rounded, golden yellow or bright orange, up to 5 cm long, up to 4 cm wide, outwardly resembling miniature oranges. The pulp is juicy, fragrant, tastes sweet or slightly sour, consists of 4-7 shares. Inside contains 2-5 seeds. The skin is thin, smooth, edible, sweetish, spicy. The taste of kumquat fruits resemble tangerines. Ripens in December-January. Fruiting is plentiful, annual.

Where does kumquat grow?

What is kumquat is well known in Southeast Asia, Japan, China, the Middle East, where this culture occupies large plantations and also grows wild.

In Europe, the fruit is called "Japanese orange", in China and Japan "golden orange".

Kinkan loves sunlight and grows well in hot, humid climates. The most comfortable air temperature for its development is 25-30 °C. However, in extreme heat, with a lack of moisture, the plant sheds leaves.

A photo of a kumquat proves that its miniature, yellowish fruits bear a strong resemblance to citrus:

Photo gallery

citrus fruit kumquat

Kumquat: what is it and how is it eaten? Kumquat is a fruit that is eaten fresh and is also widely used in cooking. Fresh miniature fruits decorate various hot and cold dishes, add to salads, cocktails. In addition, savory sweet and sour sauces are made from them, which are seasoned with meat and vegetables.

The "golden apple" goes well with pork, chicken, fish. It is also used in the manufacture of desserts. Added to curd puddings and yoghurts.

Sweet and sour, aromatic juice with a pleasant refreshing taste is obtained from the fruits, jelly, jam, candied fruits are made.

Before eating, the fruit is cut into thin slices. Fruits with sweet pulp are eaten raw, with sour pulp they are processed.

The calorie content of 100 g of fresh kumquat is 70 kcal. This is twice as much as calories. This amount of calories in citrus is due to the high sugar content in the pulp.

In 100 g of dried fruit - 250 kcal. Dried - 50 kcal.

"Japanese orange" is 60% pulp, 30% peel and seeds. It contains 80% liquid and 20% solids. Kinkan is rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals, contains essential oils, pectins, proteins, fats, fiber, and ash.

In countries where the kumquat grows, the plant replaces many drugs. It is used in medicine in the fight against colds, bacteria and microbes. Used to treat dry cough. Kinkana essential oils are used to treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

It is noticed that when using this fruit, the mood rises, depression disappears. In addition, kumquat citrus relieves hangovers, so it is used after festive feasts.

Below are still photos of the kumquat fruit - parts of the plant:

Photo gallery

When buying, you should pay attention to the appearance of the fruit. It should be smooth, rich yellow in color, moderately soft to the touch, without any damage or stains. Excessive softness indicates that the kinkan is overripe and has begun to deteriorate. Hardness indicates its immaturity.

Store the fruit in a cool place for 3 weeks. In the freezer, its beneficial properties are stored for 6 months.

The kumquat tree is grown as a fruit and ornamental crop. A miniature plant with a compact crown suitable for creating bonsai. Branches with small fruits are used in floristry when making bouquets.

At home, the bush reaches up to 1.5 m.

Varieties and color of kumquat: orange, green and red

In culture, varieties of kumquat are grown, such as: Hong Kong, Malay, Nagami, Nordmann, Marumi, Meiwa, Fukushi, Orangequat Nippon, Variegated, Limequat.

The color of the kumquat and the taste of its pulp depend on the variety.

"Nagami"- a variety imported in 1846 from China. It is one of the most common kumquats in the world. The crown of a tree of this variety is compact, symmetrical, abundantly strewn with fruits during the fruiting period. The fruits are oval in shape, their length is about 2.5-3 cm. The pulp is sweet, tart. "Nagami" is an orange kumquat eaten with a sweet, fleshy rind. It thrives well in warm climates. Blooms 2 times a year. The first flowering occurs in June, the second - at the end of August. In a warm climate, it blooms profusely and bears fruit. The fruits hang on the tree all year round. The grade maintains frosts to -12 °C.

"Orangequat Nippon"- A hybrid of mandarin unshiu and kumquat. Quite a rare and rare variety. Fruits of bright orange color with juicy, sweet pulp of good taste. The flesh becomes sweeter as it ripens. "Orangequat nippon" is frost-resistant, withstands frosts down to -15 ° C, therefore it is recommended for planting in regions where other types of citrus do not take root.

"Hong Kong" is a variety grown in Hong Kong and China. It differs from other varieties in small fruits, reaching 1.5-2 cm in length. The peel of the ripened fruit is bright orange or reddish-orange. The pulp is medium juicy, consists of 4 lobes. The inside contains large, rounded seeds. Red kumquat "Hong Kong" is inedible.

"Malay"- a variety common in the Malay Peninsula. Inedible. Serves as a decorative culture. The peel of the fruit is golden-orange or yellow. The pulp contains 8 seeds.

"variegated"- a hybrid obtained in 1993. It is a small densely leafy tree with variegated leaves painted in cream tones. The fruits are oblong, orange, with light green or light yellow stripes. The pulp is sour, juicy, pleasant taste, without seeds.

"Marumi"- a winter-hardy variety, bred in 1784. The fruits are round or oval, slightly flattened, up to 3.5 cm long. The peel is thin, golden yellow. The pulp is sour, worth 4-7 shares. Trees of this variety reach 4.5 m in height, covered with thorns.

"Fukushi"- a variety common in Japan. It is a low-growing shrub about 1 m high. The crown is spreading, symmetrical. The leaves are oval, large, wide, larger than other varieties of kumquat. The fruits are oval or pear-shaped, 5 cm long. The peel is orange, smooth, thin, fragrant, very sweet. Pulp of medium juiciness, sweet and sour, dessert taste, without seeds.

"Meiva"- a hybrid obtained by crossing varieties "Nagami" and "Marumi". It is a low-growing tree with dense, hard, longitudinally folded leaves. The fruit is round, 4 cm long, with sweet and sour pulp that tastes like lemon. The peel is yellow, thick, sweet. The grade is appreciated for good taste of fruits and decorative effect. Grown in China and Japan.

"Limequat"- a hybrid of kumquat and lime. It is a miniature tree with small, oval, greenish-yellow fruits. This green kumquat has a bittersweet flesh and a pronounced lime flavor. It is eaten along with the sweet skin.

Varieties suitable for growing indoors are: Fukushi, Nagami, Marumi.

Historical information

The first mention of this citrus was found in Chinese scriptures. The kumquat plant was described in 1178 AD. In the Middle Ages, the fruit gained great popularity in Japan. In Europe, it has become known since 1846 thanks to the Anglo-Scottish botanist Robert Fortune, who described it and introduced it to the world.

Despite its close resemblance to citrus fruits, the kumquat was only included in the subgenus Fortunella in 1915.

The kumquat is a small tropical fruit about the size of a walnut. The product is used together with the peel and has a sweet-tart taste. It is widely used in cooking for preparing sauces for vegetable and meat dishes, as well as in its raw form for decorating salads and various buffet snacks.

Among other things, kumquat has medicinal properties, as it contains many vitamins and minerals. In folk medicine, this fruit is considered one of the most effective products for fungal infections, colds, and also for getting rid of a hangover.

Kumquat: useful properties

Useful properties of kumquat can be described for a very long time, but first you should get acquainted with the composition of the product. The calorie content of the fruit is 71 kcal, it contains about 1.88 g of protein, 0.85 g of fat and more than 9 g of carbohydrates.

Kumquat contains a sufficient amount of vitamins A, B, E and C, as well as minerals (iron, phosphorus, sodium, zinc), pectin substances.

What are the benefits of kumquat?

Replenishes the mineral reserve of the body, which helps to strengthen the immune system and improve the overall health of a person.
Able to cure fungal diseases.
It is widely used for the prevention and treatment of colds.
It normalizes the metabolism in the body, which makes this fruit very useful for weight loss. There are even special diets based on this product that allow you to lose extra pounds.
Is kumquat useful for the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract? And here the answer is positive, because the content of a large amount of fiber, pectin and other substances makes itself felt.
Removes toxins, toxins, cholesterol, heavy metals from the body. This contributes not only to weight loss, but also to the restoration of good health.

Kumquat: The beneficial properties of this product cannot be overestimated, because it is one of the most effective dietary products that are used to treat and prevent many diseases.

Kumquat: contraindications

Despite the original taste properties of the product, there are still contraindications for kumquat. Not everyone can eat this fruit. For example, its consumption should be limited to people with diabetes who follow a special diet to lower blood glucose levels.

Harm from kumquat can be in the following cases:

With increased acidity of the stomach.
With kidney disease, as the product can cause a sharp exacerbation of the disease.
With individual intolerance to the product.
People with allergies should check for themselves how the use of kumquat will affect their body.

Now you know literally everything about the beneficial properties of the fruit, why kumquat is harmful, and also who should limit the amount of its consumption. It remains to consider the actual question of how this product helps with weight loss.

Kumquat and weight loss

Kumquat for weight loss is important because it is a low-calorie product. Thanks to this, the fruit can be included in a variety of diets that are designed for weight loss.

Kumquat should be consumed and cooked from it in whole dishes, without removing the peel. Thinly sliced peels make delicious additions to various dishes, and a drink can be prepared from the pulp.

Weight loss occurs due to the unique properties of the fruit:

Improves the metabolic process in the body.
Harmful substances and excess liquid are removed.
After eating kumquat-based dishes, you do not feel hungry, which will allow you to refrain from eating excess food.

You can lose weight with kumquat in a few weeks. To do this, you will have to give up flour, sweet and fatty foods. Include dishes with the addition of this product in your diet, and you will lose 4-5 kg in the first week.

How to lose weight with kumquat?

Add the product to salads, meat and fish dishes.
Sauces are prepared from the pulp of the fruit, which are seasoned with all kinds of dishes.
Use the kumquat as a snack with unsweetened drinks.
You can make fresh juice from the fruit, which quenches thirst well.

Methods and scope of application of kumquat

Take 15 kumquats, wash them, prick them with a toothpick and put them in a sterilized jar. Pour 1 cup of wine vinegar into a saucepan, add 4 boxes of cardamom, a pinch of salt. Pour hot marinade over kumquat and leave for 2 days. After that, the dish is ready, dry the kumquats with spices and you can eat.
Kumquat salad. Take 200-250 g of kumquats, cut them into small circles. Add onions, lemon juice, salt, herbs, olives to taste to the salad. Use olive oil and pepper as a dressing. It turns out a delicious dietary salad that can be eaten for dinner, giving up indigestible foods.

Kumquat during pregnancy

Can kumquat be pregnant? It is worth analyzing this issue in more detail, as it interests many expectant mothers. First of all, what are the benefits of fruit for pregnant women?

The product has antifungal properties, thanks to which it protects the body of the expectant mother.
Prevents the development of varicose veins.
The presence of fiber helps to avoid constipation.
It has a detoxifying effect, which helps to cleanse the body of a pregnant woman from toxins and toxins.

However, kumquat during pregnancy can also be harmful:

Abuse of the product during pregnancy is contraindicated.
Particular care should be taken if the woman has diabetes or gestational diabetes.
In the second half of pregnancy, the amount of product consumed should be minimized.

In general, kumquat during pregnancy is a valuable product that is recommended for consumption in moderation even by nutritionists, which means that you should not worry about your health.

Kumquat (known as golden orange, fortunella, kinkan) is a miniature citrus fruit of a low (up to 4 m) tree, up to 4 cm in diameter, covered with a bright yellow or orange peel, divided inside into slices. Reminiscent of a miniature orange, only more oval.

The taste is more like a tangerine, it has sourness, it is completely edible.

How is kumquat used? How many calories does a fruit contain? Benefit and harm - how does kumquat affect the body?

The chemical composition of kumquat

Kumquat contains many vitamins and minerals

Kinkan is an infrequent guest on store shelves. But you can meet it in a different state, its nutritional value will depend on it. Fresh kumquat has a calorie content of 71 kcal per 100 g. The calorie content of 100 g of dried kumquat is slightly lower, 55 kcal. Dried kumquat has the highest calorie content per 100 g - up to 280 kcal.

2 g proteins;
1 g fat;
16 g of carbohydrates.

Is it possible to afford kinkan with diabetes? The glycemic index of kumquat is 35 units: the fruit for diabetes is recommended for consumption.

Useful properties and contraindications

The benefits of kumquat for the body are higher than those of other citrus fruits, because they eat it with a peel, absorbing the full range of nutrients.

The following properties of the kinkan are distinguished:

disinfectant;
antiviral;
cleansing;
mucolytic;
restorative;
diuretic.

To relieve swelling and remove fluid from the body, you can also eat exotic lychee fruit.

Kumquat is used in the following cases:

Phytoncides, which are part of the peel and essential oil of kinkan, disinfect the air in the room;
Regular consumption of this citrus fruit effectively affects the immune forces of the body;
Fortunello has long been used to treat coughs: sputum discharge improves, nasal breathing is facilitated. Inhalations with kinkan oil are effective during epidemics of acute respiratory infections, influenza;
Kumquat is also effective for metabolism: fat burning is accelerated, the liver and gallbladder are cleansed;
Activates the work of the brain, indispensable for mental workers;
The usefulness of Fortunello is also in the ability to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, stabilize cardiovascular activity, and normalize blood pressure;
Improves the emotional background: depression, stress, neuroses are not terrible for people who use kumquat daily.

How many fruits can you eat per day? The optimal amount is up to 10 berries.

Can pregnant women eat this fruit? Is kumquat good for pregnancy? The combination of substances in the composition is not dangerous for a developing organism. If there is no allergy, feel free to use the fruit. It will remove the manifestations of toxicosis: nausea, vomiting, positively affect the general condition of the pregnant woman, tones. In addition, the essential oil is effective against stretch marks, cellulite and sagging skin.

What are the benefits of berries for women? They are used in many nail, skin and hair care procedures. Suppress the development of fungal and bacterial infections.
Benefits for men - when using 200-300 g of kinkan, a hangover is removed. In addition, being a natural aphrodisiac, it enhances potency.

An excellent tool for improving potency is pomelo

Low calorie content and rich composition make kumquat effective for weight loss. When fruits are included in the diet, metabolism is accelerated, digestion is improved, and excess fluid is removed from the body.

You can learn more about the benefits of kumquat from the video:

Useful properties of dried fruits

What is useful dried kumquat? Already by the fact that it retains all the valuable substances in the composition. In addition, its calorie content is even lower than that of a fresh fruit, which means that it is more attractive for losing weight.

On sale you can see fruits of green, yellow, orange and almost red colors. These should be bought with caution: sometimes this color is given to the fruits by a chemical dye, and not a variety.

What are the health benefits of dried green kumquat? It contains more vitamin C and is less allergic than its brightly colored cousins. Its taste is slightly more sour.
What is useful kumquat yellow? It contains a large proportion of vitamin A, useful for vision.
Dried fruit is also satisfying: the feeling of hunger will disappear for a long time.

Perhaps you are also interested in knowing how grapefruit is useful and how you can lose weight with it? You will find all information

Dried kumquat: useful properties

What are the benefits of dried kumquat?
The benefits of dried kumquat are higher than those of fresh or dried kumquat:

Only dried fruit contains a special substance that is effective in combating fungal diseases;
It is more effective against colds and flu, inflammation. A decoction of dried fruit strengthens the immune system, tones;
Chewing fruits is good for gums, throat with inflammatory diseases;
Compresses help relieve joint pain;
Increases vitality, normalizes the work of the digestive tract, improves digestion.

How much dried kumquat can you eat per day? Due to its high calorie content - no more than 70 g.

Contraindications

In addition to individual intolerance and allergy to fruit, there are a number of other contraindications:

With long-term contact with mucous membranes, it has an irritating effect;
Fruit should not be consumed by people suffering from diseases of the kidneys and urinary system;
With caution, it is eaten with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
Blood pressure should be controlled by people with low blood pressure;
It is undesirable to use it for lactating women, because. there is a possibility of allergies and digestive disorders in the baby. It is better to introduce this fruit into the diet from the age of 3 in stages.

Methods of application and use

The low prevalence of the fruit did not affect the breadth of its application. He won fame in cooking, saturating the human body with useful substances. Not spared its healing properties and cosmetology.

In cooking

Many dishes can be prepared from kinkans:

Fresh fruit is good in salads - it will give them an exquisite taste, aroma, and most importantly - it will be a bright decoration of the dish;
An interesting sweet and sour taste of fruits is used in the preparation of sauces for meat and vegetable dishes;
Fortunello drinks are popular - cocktails, liqueurs, tinctures and even compotes;
Kinkan is added as a filler to yoghurts, cottage cheese, sweet pastries; decorate them with cakes and desserts;
Children will definitely like marmalade, candied fruit, jam from this fruit.

Kumquat jam is prepared according to the following recipe: fruits and water - in equal parts, lemon juice (to taste) and vanillin (optional) are added. Pre-kinkan is pricked with a fork or a toothpick, boiled for 10 minutes, cooled. Boil in sugar syrup until the fruit is transparent. Hot laid out in jars, rolled up.
There are also options for jam from halves of kinkan and fruits cut into circles.

You will learn a detailed recipe for kumquat jam from the video:

The calorie content of kumquat in syrup is 240-250 kcal.
The recipe for candied kumquat (calorie content - 65 kcal) involves pre-boiling the fruit for the softness of the final product. After cooking, the kinkan is dried on parchment paper.

In cosmetology

A small Japanese orange has unique properties in cosmetology:

Its juice, when applied daily to the face, will not only prevent the appearance of freckles, age spots, but also get rid of them. The skin will look healthy, toned, its color will even out;
Kinkan essential oil is also useful for the face: it has nourishing properties, the skin will become velvety, elastic, dryness and flaking will disappear;
The essential oil added to the bath has a relaxing effect, calms the nervous system;
A few drops of oil added to shampoo, balm will make hair more manageable, nourish it, and prevent brittleness;
In crushed form, dried fruits are used as a scrub.

Orange essential oil has also found wide application in cosmetology.

Having learned what a kumquat is and how it is useful, we can conclude that it is necessary to use it. When choosing fresh fruits, pay attention to their density, uniform color, absence of dark spots and rot. It is still rarely found in stores, so the best way to get fruits is to have such a plant at home. An unpretentious fruit-bearing tree, decorative all year round - an ideal houseplant.

Benefit

The appearance of the kumquat is somewhat reminiscent of an orange familiar to the domestic consumer. Is that the shape of the kumquat is not round, but oval. The size of the fruit is somewhat more modest: the average fruit is no more than five centimeters long, and about four in diameter. The taste of this exotic citrus product is reminiscent of the taste of mandarin. The aftertaste is slightly sour.

The fruits of kumquat contain a large amount of fiber, as well as pectin and natural enzymes. Due to this, this product is often used to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The benefit of kumquat lies in the fact that it is used as a prophylactic agent in case of the risk of developing a stomach ulcer or gastritis.

The beneficial effect of kumquat on the human nervous system is noted. It is believed that if a person prone to depression includes this fruit in his diet, then his nervousness and irritability will decrease, and the risk of chronic stress will come to naught.

The biochemical composition of this citrus product contains ascorbic acid. According to nutritionists, its amount in kumquat is much higher than in lemons.

The benefits of kumquat in the fight against fungus and other pests are undoubted. Due to the presence of furakumarin in the composition, this fruit has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Kumquat also contributes to:

Increasing emotional sensitivity.
Stopping apathy.
Activation of mental activity.

In the old days, it was believed that this fruit contributes to the active stimulation of mental activity. That is why the kumquat was called the "fruit of the wise."

In oriental medicine, there are many recipes using dried kumquat peel. It is commonly used to treat:

SARS and ARI.
Flu.
Cough.
Runny nose.

To combat these infectious pathologies, inhalations are carried out two or three times a day. Thanks to this, essential oils are quickly released and easily absorbed by the oral mucosa.

Japanese orange is a dietary product. It provokes the excretion of cholesterol (harmful) from the body and cleanses of heavy metals and toxins.

Due to the fact that kumquat accompanies the cleansing of blood vessels from fatty plaques, it is considered an excellent prophylactic for the risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke.

"Fairytale Mandarin" has a soft, rich and unusual taste, almost unparalleled. It is customary to eat it completely, along with the peel. This ensures the maximum benefit of the product, because heat treatment, even the most delicate one, “kills” the important ingredients of its composition. Some connoisseurs generally prefer the peel alone. And kumquat juice works great with ginger root.

As in the raw product, the beneficial properties of dried kumquat are preserved both in the pulp and in the skin. In dried form, this exotic fruit is used both in cooking and for medicinal purposes. In addition, dried "dwarf orange" helps to normalize digestion. The dried peel of the product is an effective weapon in the fight against viruses. Therefore, in the off-season, it is recommended not only to actively consume the product, but also to spread the peel on home windowsills.

Dried kumquat fruits are used for the preparation of alcoholic beverages, cocktails and all kinds of tinctures. In bohemian restaurants in Europe, "dwarf orange" is served as an appetizer for expensive alcoholic drinks.

Kumquat is often added to snacks, sauces and salads, it is used to prepare fish, meat dishes and delicious desserts. Quite common and dried kumquat.

Japanese orange goes well with turkey meat, which is also considered a dietary product. Practical English people bake delicious brioches with milk and orange juice for the holidays. Kumquat marmalade has a rather interesting taste. It does not require a lot of time and ingredients to prepare.

This citrus product is great for preparing a tincture that reduces the level of bad cholesterol, has a beneficial effect on the state of the heart and vascular systems, and is an excellent prophylactic for the risk of developing heart pathologies.

One of the interesting properties of kumquat is that it effectively relieves a person of a hangover. In Asian countries, after holidays and heavy drinking, many fans of noisy parties still restore their health with the help of these fruits.

Japanese orange is an exotic fruit. When purchasing it, it is important to pay attention to its appearance. The hue of the peel of the fruit should be bright orange. The kumquat must be smooth to the touch. Mechanical damage, cracks, dents and other "marriage" are not in his favor. The softness of the fruit should be moderate.

Kumquat is capricious. It must be stored exclusively in the refrigerator for twenty-one days. Before sending the purchased product to the refrigerator, it must be thoroughly washed and dried with a paper towel. Not a single wet droplet should remain on the skin.

In the freezer, the fruit can retain its amazing properties until the expiration of the six-month period.

Harm

bearing a fetus;
lactation;
propensity to develop an allergic reaction.

calories

This exotic product is dietary. The calorie content of kumquat is low, but if the fruit is abused, both raw and dried, the risk of obesity increases. This is due to the high content of carbohydrates.

Contraindications

The negative properties of Japanese orange appear only in case of individual intolerance to citrus fruits. If a person is not prone to allergic reactions, kumquat does not pose any danger.

The nutritional value

Vitamins and minerals

The Japanese orange contains a huge amount of minerals and vitamins of groups B and C. In addition, this unique fruit contains essential oils and fatty acids. Due to the high concentration of vitamin C in the fruits of an exotic delicacy, it is an excellent means of strengthening the immune system.

Vitamin	Content (mg)	%Daily Value
BUT	15	1,7
B1 (thiamine)	0,037	2,5
B2 (riboflavin)	0,09	5
B5 (pantothenic)	0,208	4,2
B6 (pyridoxine)	0,036	1,8
B9 (folic)	17	4,3
C (ascorbic acid)	43,9	48,8
E (TE)	0,15	1
PP (Niacinth equivalent)	0,429	2,1
Choline	8,4	1,7
Mineral	Content (mg)	%Daily Value
Calcium	62	6,2
Magnesium	20	5
Sodium	10	0,8
Potassium	186	7,4
Phosphorus	19	2,4
Iron	0,86	4,8
Zinc	0,17	1,4
Copper	95	9,5
Manganese	0,135	5

Kumquat is a healthy and tasty fruit. Add it to your diet, and the body will be enriched with many vitamins and minerals, and the immune system will become much stronger.

Kumquat is an evergreen plant from the Kumquat genus of the Rutaceae family. The Chinese origin of the name of this fruit takes its roots from the phrase "golden tangerine", which is pronounced as "kam kuat". The plant has a widespread Latin name - Fortunella (Fortunella). There is also a version that the name "kumquat" is derived from the Japanese word "kinkan".

Fortunella trees tend to be very short and rarely grow above 2 meters. Their trunks are shrub-shaped, and thin shoots are slightly flattened and outwardly resemble trihedrons with small or no spines. In leaves up to 7 cm long and up to 2.5 cm wide, thin glands are visible. Behind the axil of the leaves there are from 1 to 3 white flowers, from which a round fruit of golden-orange color with a radius of up to 1.5 cm with a sweetish-sour pulp develops. Fortunella fruits look like small oranges, slightly elongated in length (their length can be up to 5.2 cm, and the width, as a rule, does not exceed 4.5 cm). The kumquat tastes very similar to a slightly sour tangerine and is completely edible. The peel of the kumquat is very tasty, but in rare cases it painfully affects the condition of the caecum.

The first scientific description of this plant species was created by the Algerian botanist Traby.

In nature, you can find various types of Fortunella, in which each is characterized by a peculiar shape of the fruit. Now the kumquat is extremely widely cultivated in its homeland - in South China. In addition, the countries of Southern Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as well as Japan and the southern states of the USA (in particular, Florida) are actively involved in the import of fortunella fruits. Kumquats are rarely grown from seed due to their weak root system. Therefore, in order to propagate the tree, it is grafted to the three-leafed poncirus. Sometimes Fortunella is grown in apartments as a houseplant. The use of kumquat is permissible not only in its raw form, but also after the manufacture of jams, confectionery, liqueurs from it. In Japan, Fortunella is traditionally used at New Year's feasts.

Nutritional value of kumquat

1.79 g protein
0.83 g fat
15.8 g carbs
80.9 g water
0.49 g dry residue
6.7 g dietary fiber
0.49 g ash
9.4 g monosaccharides and disaccharides
7.5 g sugar
0.12 g starch
0.104 g saturated fatty acids
0.156 g unsaturated fatty acids
0.169 g polyunsaturated fatty acids

Raw Fortunella fruits contain a huge amount of essential vitamins that enhance health and support the functioning of almost all body systems.

31 mcg?-carotene (A)
289 mcg Vitamin A (RE)
38 mcg thiamine (B1)
90 mcg riboflavin (B2)
0.43 mg vitamin B3
0.209 mg pantothenic acid (B5)
37 mcg pyridoxine (B6)
21 mcg folic acid
44 mg ascorbic acid (C)
0.16 µg tocopherol (E)
4.1 mcg biotin (N)
0.43 mg nicotinic acid (PP)
8.38 mg choline
17.2 mcg folate
0.425 mg niacin

Video recipe for the occasion:

Calorie content of different types of kumquat

Although the kumquat has a fairly rich vitamin composition, its fruits are characterized by a rather low calorie content. 100 g of fresh Fortunella contains only 70 kilocalories. This unique property allows nutritionists to recommend this fruit as a complete healthy fruit for weight loss. Dried kumquat is even less caloric: its energy value is 50 kcal. However, in dried form, Fortunella can contain as much as 250 kcal per 100 g of fruit, therefore it is less suitable for diets.

One fruit of a fresh kumquat, as a rule, weighs 30–40 g, therefore it can provide the body with energy in the amount of 21–28 kcal.

The mineral composition of kumquat

In the pulp of Fortunella fruits, you can find a lot of useful macroelements and microelements, so this fruit is able to effectively fill the daily need for minerals.

Macroelements in 100 g of Fortunella:

63 mg calcium (Ca)
21 mg magnesium (Mg)
20 mg phosphorus (P)
185 mg potassium (K)
11 mg sodium (Na)

The fruits of kumquat also contain almost all the most important trace elements:

0.87 mg iron (Fe)
0.18 mg zinc (Zn)
0.096 mg copper (Cu)
0.137 mg manganese (Mn)

Fortunella pulp is rich in various phytonutrients:

156 mcg carotene
194 mcg cryptoxanthin
130 mcg lutein-zeaxanthin

Useful properties of kumquat and its use in fresh and dried form

There are approximately six types of exotic healthy fruit, which are characterized by size and shape that differ from each other. Also, about ten artificially created and natural hybrids can be distinguished: lemonquat, morgani kumquat, ichangquat, fukushi kumquat, orangequat, etc.

Fortunella is often called the "food of the sages", and this is not accidental: it is possible to use both the pulp and the peel of the fruit, and the rich composition of the kumquat does not at all lead to its high calorie content. Dried, fortunella is often used as an ingredient in dishes such as confectionery, marinades, sauces, and tinctures.

Dried kumquat peel is highly valued for its antibacterial properties. To achieve the best effect, the dried peel should be placed near an open fire so that the essential oils evaporate from the surface due to evaporation and fight harmful bacteria in the air. Often for inhalation, decoctions of dried kumquat peel are used. Also in this fruit, the concentration of furakumarin, which contributes to the treatment of fungal infections, is very high.

Useful properties of dried kumquat:

The ability to cleanse blood vessels from excess cholesterol.
Saturation of the body with minerals and vitamins.
Relieve the effects of drinking alcohol (hangover).
Fight against constipation due to the high concentration of dietary fiber.

Healing properties fresh Fortunella is somewhat different from the above, since the pulp contains a high concentration of other useful components:

Prevention of all kinds of problems with the cardiovascular system.
Combating apathy or stress, improving mood and maintaining tone.

The benefits for the body from eating dried kumquat are less great, since all the healing properties of fresh fruit are not fully preserved in it. Moreover, this product is obtained in a special way: Fortunella is dried in a dehydrator or in the sun, and then boiled in sugar syrup. Dried kumquat looks dark and shriveled, but it can serve as a wonderful dessert. Also, vitamins A and E in its composition seriously help with the following problems: