| 1)
Closely related to the orange as well as other citrus fruits,
Kumquats or cumquats grow from a slow-growing, evergreen tree
shrub. The height of the bush may range in size from two and a
half to four and a half meters. It may or may not have small thorny
dense branches. The leaves are dark glossy green, and the flowers
are pure white grown in clusters or in single growths.
2)
In appearance, kumquats bear the resemblance of other citrus
flowers or even a miniature oblong orange. Sizes vary from 3-5
centimeters in length and 2-4 centimeters in width. The peel
may range in color from red to yellow.
3)
Quite often, cumquats are consumed whole (including the peel).
The inner fruit of the kumquat is tart with an outer-layer of
sweet skin.
4)
Originally harvested in China, since the 12th century, cumquats
have a history of cultivation in Japan too.
5)
The English name "kumquat" is a derivative of the
Cantonese language. In other Asian languages, the translation
of cumquats is either a "golden orange" or large
tangerine orange".
6)
In Europe, kumquats were introduced by a collector of the London
Horticultural Society named Robert Fortune in 1846.
7)
Shortly following the cumquats debut in England, it made its
way to North America.
8)
Four species widely accepted species of the kumquat include
Marumi Kumquat (Fortunella japonica)
Meiwa Kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia)
Hong Kong Wild Kumquat (Fortunella hindsii)
Nagami Kumquat (Fortunella margarita)
9)
In appearance the kumquat fruit (generally called simply "kumquat")
resembles. Depending on variety,. A Nagami kumquat has an oval
shape, while a Marumi kumquat is round.
10)
From late November through late February, cumquats are usually
fresh in season. (Most groceries and food markets carry the
fruit with other produce.
11)
Although kumquats have the ability to thrive in low temperatures,
in areas such as San Francisco, California, it fares sweeter,
better and larger produce from warmer climates. |
