Fruits of the World: Cumquat

Name:

• Cumquat

Looks like :

• small and oval shaped, it resembles a miniature orange

Tastes like :

• sweet and sour tasting

Uses:

• The cumquat tree is commonly used as an ornamental tree - having glossy, dark, evergreen leaves and a perfumed blossom.
• The sweet and sour flavours make it an idea fruit for making preserves, pickling or candying.
• The fruit can also can be used in sauces, chutneys and in stuffing for poultry, game and pork dishes.
• Also tastes good tossed in a salad
• Another use is to soak in vodka and make a decadent liqueur

Found where :

• Originated in central China

Other things you should know about:

• They can be eaten whole - the skin is sweet though the inner flesh is quite tart
• the fruit is said to have a medicinal quality - the Cantonese believed cumquats were good for sore throats.

More information:

• see list of other world fruits