Nature is diverse and amazing, because it gives a person a lot of useful vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain strength and health. For example, there is one interesting fruit, with which, perhaps, not all are familiar. It is a storehouse of substances useful for the body, and looks like a small mandarin. What is the name of such a fruit? How is it useful and how to use it correctly? This can be found in the article.
Kumquat: what kind of fruit is it?
Like his relatives, he is a representative of the citrus family. Occasionally, it can be found in supermarkets, both fresh and dried.
At present, six species of this fruit are found in nature. Namely:
- Hong Kong
- Malay;
- Marumi
- maeve;
- nagas;
- Fukushi.
They are all alike, but may have some differences in shape, color or skin tone.
Outwardly, kumquat resembles a reduced lemon or slightly oval mandarin. In length, its size does not exceed five centimeters, and in width - four. The color is usually yellow-orange.
How many grams is in a small mandarin? As a rule, the weight of one fruit does not exceed thirty grams.
The difference from many citruses is that it can be eaten directly with the peel.
The taste of the fruit is very reminiscent of other representatives of citrus, but has some acidity. The peel of these small oval tangerines at the same time has a tart sweet taste. It is this combination that makes the use of kumquat so unusual.
The birthplace of fruit is China. This explains its name, as it is called little mandarin kumquat with good reason. Translated from Chinese, this word means "golden orange." Its second common name is kinkan. In addition, occasionally you can find such a name for the fruit as mandarin calamondine.
A bit of history
The first mention of such fruits is found in the Chinese annals of the twelfth century. However, there was no answer to the question, what was the name of the little mandarin kumquat in those days.
Residents of Europe met them only after 700 years, when in the 19th century the fruits were brought by seafarers from Portugal. Then they began to be called small tangerines, which are eaten with a peel.
The fruit was brought to England by a learned botanist named Robert Fortune in the middle of that century (1846). Due to this, the small oval mandarin has another name - fortunella.
Places and growing conditions
The fruit prefers a humid subtropical climate, so it can easily be found in southeast Asia, India, China, and also in Japan.
However, practice shows that fruit can also be grown in a pot, while the fruits will delight the owner with the same interesting rich taste. If you plant such a plant on your windowsill, then during its fruiting be prepared to answer the questions of your guests: βWhat is this little tangerine. What is the name of this tree? β
The maximum life span of a tree does not exceed forty years. During this time, it can grow in height by about 3-3.5 meters.
Below we will consider the characteristics of its composition and the basic rules of cultivation.
Kumquat Composition
As befits a fruit, kumquat is rich in a number of nutrients and vitamins. Consider its composition in more detail. It includes:
- essential oils: limonene, pinene, terpene;
- cellulose;
- omega-3 fatty acids;
- antioxidants;
- vitamins and minerals.
Citrus is especially rich in vitamin C: one hundred grams of this fruit contains about 75% of the daily requirement of an adult, vitamin A - 5%, and representatives of group B - 2%.
Also in kumquat there is about 10% of the daily norm of manganese, 6% - calcium, 4-5% - potassium and magnesium.
Calorie content of the product
Many who are interested in the question of what kind of fruit - kumquat, should know about its nutritional properties. So, in one hundred grams, about 70 kcal is enclosed.
Useful properties of kumquat
Having studied such a rich composition, it is not surprising that the fruit has a number of useful properties that have beneficial effects on many systems of the human body.
- First of all, it is worth considering the effect on the cardiovascular system. The main advantage of kumquat is that it prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. Namely, they often become the cause of such dangerous diseases as atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension. All this becomes an excellent prevention of stroke. Therefore, the fruit is especially useful for those who are prone to problems with the heart and blood vessels.
- The hematopoietic system also did not go unnoticed. Kumquat helps to normalize the formation of blood cells (red blood cells), the main function of which is to deliver oxygen to organs and tissues. This is due to the rich content in this fruit of such an element as iron.
- The beneficial use of kumquat affects bone tissue, strengthening it. This becomes an excellent prevention of osteoporosis and arthritis.
- The organs of vision - due to the content of beta-carotene, oxidation in the eye cells is reduced, which helps to reduce the risk of cataracts.
- Respiratory system. Due to the high dosage of ascorbic acid, the severity of symptoms of acute respiratory diseases, in the form of cough and runny nose, is significantly reduced. In addition, scientists do not deny the moderate expectorant properties of this fruit.
- The positive effect of taking kumquat affects the urinary system. The fact is that the fruit contains a large amount of citric acid, which prevents the formation of stones.
- It is also useful for aging skin. The fruit is rich in antioxidants, preventing the formation of wrinkles.
- Nervous system. The fruit contains vitamins of group B. Therefore, it has a noticeable calming effect, brings the mood in order.
- And of course, as with any useful product, kumquat intake cannot pass without a trace for the immune system. Increases the body's resistance, resistance to viruses, bacteria and fungi.
Contraindications
However, despite the beneficial properties of kumquat, there are a number of contraindications in which the use of fruit is unacceptable. This list is small, but everyone needs to get acquainted with it before tasting this little tangerine.
- For example, kumquat is contraindicated in people with fruit intolerance, an allergic reaction to it, or citrus fruits close to it.
- Another contraindication is the high acidity of the stomach. It is better for such people to avoid taking kumquat so as not to aggravate the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
- In addition, dried fruit is undesirable for people suffering from diabetes. The fact is that in this form, kumquat is saturated with a very large amount of sugars. And this can cause a sharp increase in blood glucose.
Kumquat Harm
The description of the composition of this fruit speaks exclusively about its benefits. However, if you pay attention to the negative impact of kumquat on the human body, then it is possible with excessive use of it. This can manifest as an indigestion (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
How to eat fruit?
Of course, everyone who finds out about the existence of such an unusual fruit wonders how to eat kumquat?
Firstly, it should be noted that you should not get too carried away and eat immediately large portions of fruit. You need to start with small amounts. In total, three hundred grams of this citrus per day is enough for an adult, and a hundred for children.
Secondly, it is equally important to know how to use kumquat. This can be done fresh, dried or any other. The main feature of the use is that kumquat does not need to be cleaned. The peel is thin and soft, in addition, sweet and healthy. If you intend to use fresh kumquat, just wash it, then cut into slices or eat whole.
In addition, even the juice is squeezed out of the fruit along with the pulp. The resulting liquid is used in pure form or in addition to ice cream, which gives the latter an exotic taste.
Each country has its own idea of ββhow to eat kumquat. For example, in China, fruit is often ground and dried in this form. It turns out a kind of powder, which is added to tea to give it a special taste. If we talk about Russia, here most often compote is cooked from kumquat. The taste of such a drink is very saturated and invigorating.
It is also possible to make jam, which will be an excellent treat for any feast.
What to look for when choosing fruits?
First of all, you need to carefully study the color and appearance of the kumquat mandarin peel. Ripe and tasty, they have an orange color, a flat surface without dents or cracks. In this case, the fruit should not exceed four centimeters in width. Following these simple rules, you can choose the most delicious mandarin kumquat.
How to store?
Of course, it is best to eat fresh fruits, but often this is not possible. Nevertheless, this fruit is like a mandarin, but small, I want to keep it for as long as possible. How can this be done correctly without losing the beneficial properties of the fetus?
The undoubted advantage of the fruit is that in the refrigerator it stays fresh for a long time. In about three weeks. The main thing to do is wash the fruits and dry.
Another way to preserve the benefits of fruit for a long time is to make mashed potatoes and put it in the freezer. So it can be consumed for six months.
How to grow kumquat from seed at home?
Many botanists and flower growers are concerned with the issue of growing citrus trees in an apartment or house. Kumquat is no exception. In order for a plant to sprout and bear fruit, you need to follow a number of rules and monitor the sequence of actions.
Only fresh fruit seeds should be used. Dried or dried for these purposes will not work. The fruit must be ripe. It is easy to determine by the seed, ideally it should be dark in color. β
The soil should consist of an equal amount of calcined sand and river pebbles, plus it will not be superfluous to add a little humus. Of course, you can go the simpler way and buy in the flower shop ready-made soil for citrus fruits.
It is better to choose a pot that is not very high, its diameter should be in the range of 8-10 cm. Drainage must be located at the bottom. As a rule, this is small gravel. Expanded clay for these purposes is also suitable.
After the soil is properly prepared, it is necessary to rinse the bones in water, spread them on gauze, place a cloth on top. Better if it is cotton. Then a small amount of water should be poured sufficient to keep the tissues moist. In addition, this entire structure should be placed in a warm place. The apartment has excellent battery space. After, you should wait a day, but be sure to ensure that the fabric always remains wet.
Then it is necessary to deepen a few seeds into moist soil by about a couple of centimeters, close the pot with polyethylene, put in a warm place without direct sunlight. Periodically, the earth should be moderately moistened.
After one to two months, the first sprouts appear. For the gardener, this serves as a signal to remove the polyethylene and put the plant in the sun.
It is also worth remembering that this culture does not tolerate transplantation, so you need to make it as carefully as possible.
It is equally important to water the plant on time. Kumquat loves moisture, so it is permissible to water it every day in the hot season. In winter, the frequency of watering decreases, it is enough to do this 1-2 times a week.
Conclusion
So, the answer to the question, what kind of fruit is kumquat is received. It became known about its extremely useful composition, a large number of positive properties, the rules of use and even cultivation.
Perhaps it is fair to say that it is advisable to use kumquat for both adults and children. After all, it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of almost all body systems.
However, you must remember that everything is good in moderation. Therefore, deciding to include kumquat in the diet, you can not exceed the daily norm. Otherwise, it is fraught with some unpleasant symptoms.