Kumquat, fortunello, kinkan, Japanese orange, fabulous mandarin, food of the sages are different names for the same fruit. Like other citrus fruits, it has unique beneficial properties, regardless of whether it is fresh, dried, or dried.
What is kumquat?
This bright orange fruit, which first appeared in China in the 19th century. After some time, it was distributed to other countries in Asia, Europe and America. Kumquat is a fruit whose name is translated from Chinese as “green apple”. Another popular name is Kinkan, which has Japanese roots. It translates as "golden orange."
Kumquat in appearance and taste is really reminiscent of this orange citrus fruit. But there are some significant differences. The fruits of the kumquat are oblong, elongated, about 5 centimeters long and 3-4 centimeters wide, and the peel is so sweet that the whole fruit is consumed, getting rid of only the seeds inside. The pulp is juicy, with a pleasant, slightly tart sweet and sour taste.
Kumquat belongs to those citrus plants that can be grown indoors. With proper care, this evergreen tree will not only fit perfectly into the design of any room, but will also delight the hosts with tasty and healthy fruits.
Composition, nutritional value and calorie content
Kumquat is a source of many vitamins and minerals. Some of them are located directly in the skin of the fetus. Orange fruits contain vitamins of groups B, C, A, E. The chemical composition of kumquat includes mineral elements such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, copper and iron. It contains a lot of fatty acids and aromatic oils.
The main advantage of this fruit, in comparison with other citrus fruits, is that its fruits do not contain nitrates at all. That is why the benefit of the "golden orange" is difficult to overestimate.
Kumquat is a fruit not only unique in composition but also low in calories. 100 grams of orange fruits contain only 70 kcal. It must be in the diet of people who want to lose weight.
Useful properties of fresh fruit
The fruits of kumquat are equally useful in any form. They are eaten fresh, dried, dried. From this, the beneficial properties of kumquat are not reduced.
Fresh Kumquat:
- an indispensable product for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the nervous system;
- helps to get out of a depressed state, get rid of stress and apathy;
- normalizes the emotional background;
- contributes to the improvement of the heart and blood vessels.
"Golden Orange" must be eaten directly with the peel. It contains a large number of vitamins and minerals, while there are no nitrates at all.
Dried kumquat: harm and benefit
Dried kumquat is considered more beneficial than fresh. The amount of vitamins and minerals in it is even greater. For example, the antifungal substance furacumarin does not contain fresh fruit, namely dried kumquat. Its useful properties are as follows:
- effectively fights colds and flu;
- fights fungal infections and inflammations;
- stabilizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- energizes the body, increases vitality;
- compensates for the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, increases the body's resistance to various viruses;
- improves brain function;
- essential oils of dried kumquat increase its bactericidal properties, which is especially important during a period of growing number of colds.
The fruits of the "golden orange" can harm the body. Contraindications to its use in dried or any other form are:
- Chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. The acid contained in the kumquat fruits causes an exacerbation of these diseases.
- Kidney disease
- Tendency to allergies.
- People with diabetes should limit their intake of dried fruits.
Dried kumquat, the harm and benefits of which are not known to everyone, is recommended even for pregnant women due to the high content of vitamins and minerals. But in the last trimester, you should limit its use, since there is a high risk of developing an allergy in the unborn child.
Sun-dried Kumquat. Harm and benefit to the body
Sun-dried kumquat is no less useful than dried or fresh. It is in no way inferior to them in useful properties. Sun-dried kumquat is especially useful for people with eye diseases. This is due to the content of vitamin A in its composition.
“Golden Orange” favorably affects the skin. He prevents its premature aging, reduces the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation. The natural beauty of the skin is provided by vitamin E in the pulp and peel of orange fruits.
Sun-dried kumquat, the harm and benefits of which coincide in many respects with those for fresh and dried fruits, is an indispensable product in the winter season. It helps strengthen immunity in adults and children.
The use of kumquat in cooking
Kumquat is used in preparing dishes in fresh and dried form.
- From its ripe fruits, you can prepare an original sauce that perfectly harmonizes with the taste of meat and vegetable dishes.
- From orange fruits you get tasty and healthy jam, jam and marmalade.
- Kumquat, whose properties are preserved in any form, is used to make candied fruits. They can be added to various desserts and pastries.
- From the juice of "Japanese orange" make delicious cocktails, liquors and tinctures.
Dried kumquat, whose beneficial properties are even higher than that of fresh fruit, will give a unique citrus flavor to any baked goods. But in this form, its calorie content per 100 grams is not 70, but as much as 280 kcal.
How to make candied kumquat at home
To prepare tasty and healthy candied fruits, you need 0.5 kilograms of kumquat, the same amount of sugar and 100 ml of water. Then everything is very simple.
- Rinse the fruit, cut into slices, remove the seeds.
- Make syrup from water and sugar. Boil a minute.
- Add boiled kumquat to boiling syrup. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, allow to cool completely.
- The next day, boil candied fruits for 10 minutes. Repeat the procedure for another 2-3 days.
- After that, put the cooled candied fruits on a baking sheet with parchment. Dry for 24 hours in air in a ventilated room, and then several hours in the oven at a temperature not exceeding 50 degrees. The longer the pieces are in the oven, the harder the kumquat.
Candied fruits after cooking can be sprinkled with powdered sugar. Store in a dry container for about 6 months.
Kumquat Marmalade Jam
You can make delicious jam from healthy kumquat. To do this, you need 1 kilogram of ripe fruit, 800 grams of sugar and 200 ml of water.
Wash the kumquats thoroughly, dry and cut into thin rings, not forgetting to remove the bones. Then boil the syrup from sugar and water in a pan. Turn off the stove. Immerse chopped fruit in hot syrup, and set the pan aside for 12 hours. After the specified time, again start cooking the goodies. Boil it over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the syrup becomes clear. Arrange the hot jam in sterile jars, wrap it, and then send it to the refrigerator or basement for storage.
Kumquat jam is thick as marmalade, fragrant, with spicy bitterness. Regardless of the method of preparation, the fruit does not lose its beneficial properties.