Useful properties of kumquat!
More recently, on the shelves of many supermarkets and ordinary stores, an unusual fruit has appeared, which resembles an orange, only its size does not exceed 5-6 cm. The name of this curiosity is kumquat.
What is kumquat and where does it grow
The fruit belongs to the citrus, grows on a small tree, reaching a height of 4.5 m, but most often it does not exceed 2.5 m. Citrus is native to Southeast Asia, or rather China, but it is cultivated in Greece, the southern United States and Japan.
The fruit of kumquat is bright yellow, the leaves are ellipsoid, dark green in color. Since the plant is dormant for a long time after wintering, it blooms only in mid-summer for a few days. Often there is a re-flowering.
The fruit looks very similar to a small orange, very juicy, tastes sweet, with a slight sourness, like a tangerine. The fruits ripen at the end of the year.
Kinds
Kumquat-the smallest citrus fruit, in different countries it is called differently. However, most often – "golden apple" (this name was given to him by the Chinese), the official name is Fortunella.
The plant has several popular species, which will be discussed further:
Nagami. Also called Fortunella Margarita. This is probably the most popular type that can be found on sale in almost every major city. The plant looks like a large shrub or small tree. Blooms with white flowers, bears fruit all year round. It can tolerate frost, grows quite slowly, prefers acidic soil. It can be grown even in an apartment. In winter, watering is moderate, in summer – abundant.
Nordmann. This type of kumquat is very similar to Nagami, it is also called Nordmann Seedless. From the name, we can conclude that its distinctive feature is the absence of bones. The plant is very rare, it is grown only in California, USA. The taste is similar to Nagami, but the shape is slightly different. The plant also blooms in summer, the fruits are harvested in late winter. It can also be used for interior and courtyard decoration.
Malay kumquat. It got its name due to the fact that it grows mainly in the territory of the Malay Peninsula. The plant is usually used for decorative purposes, for example, it makes an excellent hedge. The fruits are the largest of all the species, but they have a lot of small seeds. Does not tolerate low temperatures.
Maeve. The fruits of this species are very tasty, they are recommended for fresh consumption. It is believed to be a natural hybrid of Nagami and Marumi. The fruit is somewhat similar to a large lemon. It also blooms in summer and bears fruit in late winter. In the fruit there are very few seeds, in some there are almost none at all. Although it is not so frost-resistant, it is still able to tolerate low temperatures.
Hong Kong kumquat. This very small and prickly plant grows only on Hong Kong Island and in a small surrounding area. The fruits are bright orange in color, very small, rarely exceed 2 cm, they are not eaten. The plant is used only as a seasoning, since the fruits are not juicy and with large grains.
Fukushi. Also known as Obovata or Changsha. It is this type of kumquat that is best suited for growing in the house, has a lush crown. The fruit is orange in color and looks like a pear, delicious and juicy.
Marumi. This kumquat is strongly reminiscent of the Naga, but with spikes. The fruits are suitable for eating, they are slightly smaller in size than those of the Nagami, and they are bright, golden-yellow in color.
Variegated kumquat. The plant officially appeared in the 90s of the last century and is an artificially bred variety. The closest relative of the Nagami, from which it differs in light leaves. The fruits are juicy and sour.
Composition and caloric content
Kumquat fruits are classified as dietary, since the caloric content of the fruit is only 70 kcal per 100 g.
Energy value per 100 g:
Proteins-no more than 2 g.
Fat-almost none.
Carbohydrates – about 10 g.
The composition of kumquat also contains insoluble dietary fiber. As for the chemical composition, it contains just a huge amount of useful substances: vitamins B, C, A and E, lutein, alpha carotene, nicotinic acid, as well as micro-and macronutrients: iron,
magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, etc.
What is useful for dried kumquat
One of the methods of harvesting fruit is drying, in which it is subjected to heat treatment. If you consider that the fruit consists of 80% water, then when dried, it decreases in size several times and becomes very small.
Dried kumquat contains the same amount of vitamins and minerals as fresh, so it can replace any complex of vitamins. Useful properties of dried kumquat;
it is an excellent antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent;
improves intestinal peristalsis and stomach function;
increases immunity;
removes slags and toxins;
prevents aging of cells;
improves vision and helps in the treatment of the retina;
calms the nervous system, promotes quality sleep and improves mood;
Kumquat in cosmetology
The use of fruit is useful for the general condition of the body, while in cosmetology, kumquat seed oil is used. In combination with other oils, it perfectly copes with stretch marks and is used to treat scars. Just 3 drops added to the body cream will help smooth the skin, make it smoother.
Also, kumquat seed oil is used to cleanse oily skin and give it elasticity. Regular use will help you look always fresh and well-groomed. For this purpose, you can add 2 drops of oil to the cream or to the base oil (almond, macadamia, coconut) and use it at night.
The seed oil of kumquat can be added to any cosmetic product. It is gentle and delicate, it contains a lot of vitamin A, which promotes the production of collagen, which protects the cells of the dermis from the effects of free radicals.
What is kumquat and where does it grow
The fruit belongs to the citrus, grows on a small tree, reaching a height of 4.5 m, but most often it does not exceed 2.5 m. Citrus is native to Southeast Asia, or rather China, but it is cultivated in Greece, the southern United States and Japan.
The fruit of kumquat is bright yellow, the leaves are ellipsoid, dark green in color. Since the plant is dormant for a long time after wintering, it blooms only in mid-summer for a few days. Often there is a re-flowering.
The fruit looks very similar to a small orange, very juicy, tastes sweet, with a slight sourness, like a tangerine. The fruits ripen at the end of the year.
Kinds
Kumquat-the smallest citrus fruit, in different countries it is called differently. However, most often – "golden apple" (this name was given to him by the Chinese), the official name is Fortunella.
The plant has several popular species, which will be discussed further:
Nagami. Also called Fortunella Margarita. This is probably the most popular type that can be found on sale in almost every major city. The plant looks like a large shrub or small tree. Blooms with white flowers, bears fruit all year round. It can tolerate frost, grows quite slowly, prefers acidic soil. It can be grown even in an apartment. In winter, watering is moderate, in summer – abundant.
Nordmann. This type of kumquat is very similar to Nagami, it is also called Nordmann Seedless. From the name, we can conclude that its distinctive feature is the absence of bones. The plant is very rare, it is grown only in California, USA. The taste is similar to Nagami, but the shape is slightly different. The plant also blooms in summer, the fruits are harvested in late winter. It can also be used for interior and courtyard decoration.
Malay kumquat. It got its name due to the fact that it grows mainly in the territory of the Malay Peninsula. The plant is usually used for decorative purposes, for example, it makes an excellent hedge. The fruits are the largest of all the species, but they have a lot of small seeds. Does not tolerate low temperatures.
Maeve. The fruits of this species are very tasty, they are recommended for fresh consumption. It is believed to be a natural hybrid of Nagami and Marumi. The fruit is somewhat similar to a large lemon. It also blooms in summer and bears fruit in late winter. In the fruit there are very few seeds, in some there are almost none at all. Although it is not so frost-resistant, it is still able to tolerate low temperatures.
Hong Kong kumquat. This very small and prickly plant grows only on Hong Kong Island and in a small surrounding area. The fruits are bright orange in color, very small, rarely exceed 2 cm, they are not eaten. The plant is used only as a seasoning, since the fruits are not juicy and with large grains.
Fukushi. Also known as Obovata or Changsha. It is this type of kumquat that is best suited for growing in the house, has a lush crown. The fruit is orange in color and looks like a pear, delicious and juicy.
Marumi. This kumquat is strongly reminiscent of the Naga, but with spikes. The fruits are suitable for eating, they are slightly smaller in size than those of the Nagami, and they are bright, golden-yellow in color.
Variegated kumquat. The plant officially appeared in the 90s of the last century and is an artificially bred variety. The closest relative of the Nagami, from which it differs in light leaves. The fruits are juicy and sour.
Composition and caloric content
Kumquat fruits are classified as dietary, since the caloric content of the fruit is only 70 kcal per 100 g.
Energy value per 100 g:
Proteins-no more than 2 g.
Fat-almost none.
Carbohydrates – about 10 g.
The composition of kumquat also contains insoluble dietary fiber. As for the chemical composition, it contains just a huge amount of useful substances: vitamins B, C, A and E, lutein, alpha carotene, nicotinic acid, as well as micro-and macronutrients: iron,
magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, etc.
What is useful for dried kumquat
One of the methods of harvesting fruit is drying, in which it is subjected to heat treatment. If you consider that the fruit consists of 80% water, then when dried, it decreases in size several times and becomes very small.
Dried kumquat contains the same amount of vitamins and minerals as fresh, so it can replace any complex of vitamins. Useful properties of dried kumquat;
it is an excellent antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent;
improves intestinal peristalsis and stomach function;
increases immunity;
removes slags and toxins;
prevents aging of cells;
improves vision and helps in the treatment of the retina;
calms the nervous system, promotes quality sleep and improves mood;
Kumquat in cosmetology
The use of fruit is useful for the general condition of the body, while in cosmetology, kumquat seed oil is used. In combination with other oils, it perfectly copes with stretch marks and is used to treat scars. Just 3 drops added to the body cream will help smooth the skin, make it smoother.
Also, kumquat seed oil is used to cleanse oily skin and give it elasticity. Regular use will help you look always fresh and well-groomed. For this purpose, you can add 2 drops of oil to the cream or to the base oil (almond, macadamia, coconut) and use it at night.
The seed oil of kumquat can be added to any cosmetic product. It is gentle and delicate, it contains a lot of vitamin A, which promotes the production of collagen, which protects the cells of the dermis from the effects of free radicals.