Recently, among the usual fruits on the shelves of supermarkets there are unusual fruits. Many of them look so exotic that it is completely unclear how they are. One such guest from a distant foreign country is kumquat - what is it that many will be interested to know.
Material Content:
What is kumquat and what does it look like?
The fruit is considered to be a representative of citrus fruits from the root family and the genus Fortunella. It grows on evergreen trees with a rounded crown, mainly on plantations in southern China. It is also grown in the Middle East, Japan and South America. Kumquat blooms with beautiful white flowers, smelling of lime, reaches a small size. Therefore, it can often be found in apartments as an ornamental plant. Over time, the trees growing on the windowsill even begin to bear fruit.
The fruits of kumquat are saturated orange in color, small (up to 2.5 cm in diameter), oval, consisting of 4-7 lobules. Outwardly, they resemble an orange, but differ from it in an unusual shape and small size.
The pulp is similar in taste to tangerine, but it has a more pronounced sourness. It is noteworthy that the thin peel is also edible and has a sweet, slightly tart taste with bitterness. Do not eat only the seeds of the fruit, as they are very bitter. In the literature, there are other names for the fruit - kinkan or fortunella. Translated from Chinese, kumquat means "golden apple."
What and how to eat fruit
Edible fruits are good both in raw form along with peel, and in processed. They make delicious jams, preserves, marmalade, candied fruits and even liquors.Effectively on the festive table look dishes decorated with kumquat slices. Unusual fruit is added to baked meat or fish, in salads, sweet and sour sauces, it is used to prepare sweet dishes, juices, compotes, confiture.
The Chinese grind the kumquat with sugar, place in a glass container and store in the refrigerator all year. The tool is used for colds and respiratory infections, helps get rid of a runny nose and sore throat.
When choosing kumquat, pay attention to the appearance of the skin. It should be a saturated orange color, without dents, cracks or other visible damage. The fetus itself must be resilient, but not soft and not too hard.
Calorie content and composition
Kumquat is considered a low-calorie product, since 100 g of pulp contains only 71 kcal. However, the fruits, although dietary, but their excessive use can lead to weight gain. The fact is that 100 g of the product contains a large amount of carbohydrates - up to 9.1 g, as well as some proteins - 1.9 g, dietary fiber - 6.5 g, fat - 0.9 g, about 80 g of water and 0.5 g of ash.
The composition contains fatty omega-3 and omega-6 acids, sugars, vitamins A, groups B, E, ascorbic acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium.
Useful properties of kumquat
Fresh fruits have the following effects on the body:
- antimicrobial;
- restorative;
- cleansing;
- lower blood cholesterol;
- protect against diseases of the heart, blood vessels, joints;
- normalize blood pressure;
- relieve vitamin deficiency;
- improve emotional state.
Due to the large amount of vitamins, fortunella is considered very useful. Its regular use strengthens the immune system and increases the body's resistance to viral, fungal and bacterial infections. Acids contained in fruit juice stimulate digestion and the production of gastrointestinal juice, increase appetite, and improve metabolism. Kumquat is a good prophylactic against the development of stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers. As an antioxidant, it removes toxic substances from the body in a short time. Therefore, it is useful to eat after a feast with plenty of fatty foods and alcohol. The fruit helps to cope with a hangover much faster, neutralizes bad breath.
The benefits of essential oils
Kumquat essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy as brain stimulants. It is because of them that from ancient times the fruit has been considered the food of the sages. Bright saturated citrus aroma gives strength, restores vitality, removes from depression, relieves fatigue. Ethers are indicated for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system and for mental stress. Oils are used in cosmetology. They are included in the composition of masks and fruit peels for problem skin. In combination with other components, they effectively eliminate inflammation, disinfect, and cure comedones and acne. Rubbing into the skin of creams and lotions with kumquat oil eliminates stretch marks and striae after childbirth, age spots, cellulite.
Dried kumquat
Dried kumquat cut into pieces can be found on store shelves as often as fresh. Moreover, the content of vitamins in it does not decrease at all. On the contrary, the concentration of active substances increases due to fermentation upon drying, and the beneficial properties of the product only increase. Its calorie content also increases to 283 kcal per 100 g.
Various drinks are prepared from dried fruits - compotes, tinctures. When heated, the dried peel releases a large amount of essential oils into the atmosphere. With flu and colds, it can be spread out in warm places (for example, on heating radiators) to disinfect the room.
Chinese women pour dried fruits with warm water (but not boiling water), insist for several hours and wash their lotion every morning.It is believed that the procedure helps preserve the freshness and youth of the face, improves skin tone, smoothes shallow premature wrinkles.
Dried kumquat
Whole fruits can be dried in the sun or in a dehydrator. The properties of dried kumquat are not much different from fresh fruit. Due to the high content of vitamin A, the product is especially useful for people with poor eyesight and eye diseases. Vitamin E has a beneficial effect on the skin, protects against the negative effects of ultraviolet rays.
Raw and properly dried kumquat does not look very attractive and has a dull color. It smells of lime with a touch of mint.
Saturated orange, red or green fruits, as in the picture, are obtained as a result of chemical processing and can be hazardous to health.
In glass tightly sealed containers, dried and dried kumquat is stored for no more than a year.
Therapeutic tincture
For the prevention of cardiovascular pathologies, a tincture with honey and vodka is prepared. This combination of ingredients perfectly cleanses blood vessels, protects against the formation of cholesterol plaques. Dried fruits with cuts on the sides are placed in a jar, 50 g of peeled and chopped ginger root, 0.5 l of honey and 0.5 l of vodka are added to them. The container is closed with a lid, shaken well and put in the refrigerator for 3 months. For the purpose of general strengthening of the body, the drug is taken three times a day for 1 tbsp. lies. To get rid of an obsessive cough, 100 ml of tincture is heated and drunk at night.
Contraindications for use and possible harm
The effect of kumquat on the body is more pronounced when compared with the usual citrus fruits. Therefore, when getting acquainted with a treat, it is advisable to limit yourself to 1-2 pieces, and then observe the reaction.
The only contraindication to use is individual intolerance. People who are allergic to citrus fruits cannot eat it, since it can provoke severe reactions - urticaria, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic juice. Fortunella is not recommended for children under 3 years of age, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Any citrus fruits during these periods can cause allergies in the child. However, on the advice of a doctor, you can eat it little by little in the first trimester of pregnancy to combat nausea with toxicosis.
It is also better for people with increased acidity of the stomach not to include kumquat in the menu, as it can cause heartburn. Abuse of fruit in kidney disease often leads to exacerbation. In diabetes, it can increase blood sugar. If fresh fruits are considered dietary, then dried and dried are very high in calories. Therefore, they should not be eaten with obesity.
Despite the undeniable health benefits, kumquat is used more for the preparation of treats than for the treatment of diseases. And this is not surprising, because the fruits have a unique taste and aroma. And thanks to an interesting combination of sour flesh and sweet peel, everyone likes it. However, do not forget that after heat treatment, most of the beneficial properties of the fruit are lost.
