Kumquat

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Kumquat (lat. Fortunella) - an evergreen plant from the Rutaceae family.

History

The very first literary mentions of this peculiar fruit date back to the 12th century - for the first time the kumquat was described in China. And he came to Europe thanks to the curious Robert Fortune, an English botanist, who brought these bizarre fruits to the annual London Horticultural Exhibition in 1846.

At first, the kumquat was attributed to the Citrus genus, but a little later, in 1915, it was isolated as a separate subgenus Fortunella.

Description

Kumquat is a plant endowed with smooth triangular flattened shoots, which are sometimes covered with thorns. Kumquat leaves reach a length of about 4 - 6 cm, and their width usually ranges from one and a half to two centimeters. White axillary flowers are collected in two or three pieces in miniature inflorescences, however, sometimes there are single flowers.

The diameter of the rounded golden-yellow kumquat fruits is 2 - 2, 5 cm. They resemble miniature oval oranges, and their taste resembles slightly sour tangerines. By the way, kumquat is completely edible - its sweet peels can also be eaten.

There are many varieties of kumquat. The most famous are the following: Malay, Hong Kong, Fukushi, as well as Nagami, Meiwa and Marumi.

Where grows

Kumquat grows mainly in the south of China. Currently, in nature, you can meet several varieties of this culture - as a rule, they differ in the shape of the fruit.

In addition to China, these attractive citrus fruits are cultivated in the southern United States (mainly Florida), southern Europe (most often on the Greek island of Corfu), the Middle East, as well as Japan and Southeast Asia.

Usage

Kumquat can be eaten not only raw - it is also good in processed form. These wonderful fruits make great liqueurs, marmalade, preserves and candied fruits.

It is noteworthy that kumquat is considered a dietary product - it promotes the breakdown of bad cholesterol and its early elimination from the body, as well as the gradual cleansing of the body of heavy metals, radionuclides and toxins accumulated in it. With the systematic use of these fruits, the vessels are cleared of fatty plaques, in addition, kumquat is an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis, as well as heart attack and stroke.

In oriental medicine, dried kumquat peels are widely used to cure coughs, runny nose, flu and any colds. For this, the brewed crusts are used for inhalation (such inhalations are done two to three times a day).

Natural enzymes, pectin and fiber contained in kumquat fruits contribute to the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract and are an excellent prevention of ulcers and gastritis. In addition, kumquat has an extremely beneficial effect on the nervous system - people who consume these fruits are much less susceptible to chronic stress, constant nervousness, sudden irritability and depression.

And this culture is often grown as a houseplant.

Calorie content

Despite the fact that kumquat is not high in calories (100 g of fruit contains only 71 kcal), it should not be abused - due to its high carbohydrate content, it can easily lead to obesity. This is especially true for dried kumquat (100 g of dried fruit contains 284 kcal).

Growing

Since kumquat seedlings have an extremely weak root system, it is very rarely grown from seeds. In Japan and China, in order to reproduce this culture, it is grafted onto a three-leafed ponzirus.