Kumquat, also known as Chinese mandarin, is the smallest citrus fruit in the world. Judge for yourself: their length is no more than four centimeters, and their width is only two! However, this bright orange little baby is fraught with a lot of useful things for our body.
Citrus miniature
The Celestial Empire is considered the birthplace of the kumquat. Several varieties of this citrus are grown there. Its common name "kumquat" comes from the South Chinese dialect and means "golden orange". Now it is cultivated in Spain, Brazil, Greece, Japan, USA, Georgia, as well as in Russia, in the Krasnodar Territory.
Benefits of kumquat
Surely this fruit was named golden not only for its bright orange peel, but also for its rich content of nutrients. Kumquat is rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron and vitamins B, C, A. In addition, it has bactericidal properties that have been used by oriental healers from time immemorial for fungal infections and throat ailments. An important feature of this citrus fruit is that it does not accumulate nitrates. They are simply incompatible with the acids it contains. Kumquat is also a wonderful remedy for an alcoholic hangover. Rumor has it that the Chinese, after the long New Year holidays, are the only ones to save themselves.
How to eat kumquat
Unlike other citrus fruits, kumquats are not peeled, but eaten whole. There is no need for preliminary cleansing, since the peel of this fruit is delicate, thin and, among other things, very sweet. But the flesh of the kumquat is sour and dryish. This citrus is good not only raw. It can be used to make wonderful jams, candied fruits, preserves, syrups and liqueurs.
