Kumquat

Also known asCumquat · Fortunella · Citrus japonica · 金桔 · 金橘

Name: Kumquat (genus Fortunella). The most widely grown species is the oval or Nagami kumquat (Fortunella margarita); the round Marumi kumquat (F. japonica) and the sweet-skinned Meiwa kumquat (F. crassifolia, a natural hybrid of the two) are the other common varieties, all referred to simply as “kumquat.”

Description

Kumquats are native to eastern Asia and are unusual among citrus fruits in being eaten whole, skin and all — the small, oval-to-round fruit reverses the usual citrus arrangement, with a sweet, edible peel wrapped around tart, juicy flesh. The trees are compact, mostly thornless shrubs that rarely exceed about 3.5 metres, making kumquats popular as ornamental plants as well as a fruit crop; potted kumquat branches are even used as Christmas decorations in parts of the United States.

In China, where the fruit has long been cultivated, kumquats are frequently candied or preserved in syrup, and in the U.S. breeders have crossed kumquats with limes, mandarins, and other citrus to create hybrids such as the calamondin and limequat.

Main nutrition value

A tiny citrus fruit eaten whole, skin and all, with a sweet peel and tart flesh.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

71 kcal

Nutrition Information

Protein1.9g

Total Fat0.9g

Saturated Fat0.1g

Carbohydrate9.4g

Total Sugars9.4g

Dietary Fibre6.5g

Sodium10mg

Other Nutrients

Calcium — Ca62.0mg

Iron — Fe0.9mg

Magnesium — Mg20.0mg

Phosphorus — P19.0mg

Potassium — K186.0mg

Zinc — Zn0.2mg

Copper — Cu0.1mg

Manganese — Mn0.1mg

Vitamin C — Ascorbic Acid43.9mg

Vitamin B1 — Thiamin0.04mg

Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin0.1mg

Vitamin B3 — Niacin0.4mg

Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid0.2mg

Vitamin B6 — Pyridoxine0.04mg

Vitamin B9 — Folate17.0µg

Vitamin A — Retinoids15.0µg

Vitamin A — IU290.0IU

Vitamin E — Tocopherol0.1mg

Show all nutrients

Folate, food17.0µg

Folate, DFE17.0µg

Choline, total8.4mg

Carotene, alpha155.0µg

Cryptoxanthin, beta193.0µg

Lutein + zeaxanthin129.0µg

SFA 14:00.004g

SFA 16:00.1g

SFA 18:00.004g

Fatty acids, total monounsaturated0.2g

MUFA 16:10.02g

MUFA 18:10.1g

Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated0.2g

PUFA 18:20.1g

PUFA 18:30.05g

Kumquats stand out for their fiber content — unusually high for a citrus fruit, largely because the whole peel is eaten — alongside a solid dose of vitamin C and useful potassium and calcium.

How best to be consumed

Kumquats are meant to be eaten whole, skin included — popped straight into the mouth, sometimes lightly squeezed or bitten first to release the sweet peel oils against the tart pulp. They also hold up well cooked, candied, or preserved into marmalade, which softens the peel and rounds out the tartness.

Overconsumption could cause…

Because the whole fruit, peel included, is eaten, a large serving of kumquats delivers more fiber than most citrus fruits and can cause digestive discomfort or bloating if eaten in excess. Otherwise the same general citrus considerations apply: the tart pulp and peel oils are acidic enough that very frequent, heavy intake could contribute to tooth enamel wear over time.

GroupsCitrus FruitsCitrus (Rutaceae)High fibreLow fatLow sodiumRich in vitamin CFresh

Related foodsTangerineClementineOrangePomeloLimeLemon

U.S. Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central — Kumquats, raw (FDC ID 168154), 100g portion: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/168154/nutrients Encyclopaedia Britannica — Kumquat: https://www.britannica.com/plant/kumquat