Kumquat - what is it? Ways of using and useful properties of exotic fruit

Kumquat has several names: in European countries it is often called fortunella, and in Japan - kinkan. This genus is a citrus plant from China, where it is called a "golden apple". Like the rest, the more familiar citrus, Fortunella gives the fruits a bright orange color (though small) with a characteristic aroma. But to taste it does not particularly resemble an orange, or a mandarin. The more so, unlike their brethren, kumquat is eaten with skin (although it has a flavor of essential oils, it is more sweet than the rest of citrus fruits).

As for the benefits of this exotic fruit, it is huge. To the question: "Kumquat - what is it?" The correct answer is - a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. This delicious kid contains a truly incredible amount of potassium and calcium, folic acid and pectin substances, as well as vitamins A, B, C and P. And they are rich in fresh kumquat, dried, and also prepared in the form of jam (in the latter option, of course, Less than in the rest). Fortunella also contains a unique natural bactericidal and antifungal component called furocoumarin. Thanks to him kinkan perfectly fights with infections that affect the respiratory, digestive and other systems of the human body.

Unfortunately, in our markets it is not very often possible to meet kumquat. What is it, and where it can be bought, not all implementers of fruit know. And even if there is a fresh Fortunella on sale, the price for it will be sky-high compared to other citrus fruits.

In addition to fighting infections, kumquat is shown under stress, for the prevention of peptic ulcer, in addition, it is great for a hangover. Surprisingly, only a few miniature fruits are able to completely eliminate the symptoms of the consequences of a serious feast.

As for the use of fortunella, the simplest option is to eat it simply in fresh form. This fruit is pleasant to taste, sweet and sour, with a pronounced citrus flavor. The only thing that can cause trouble when using it - it's bones, which in some varieties kinkana is quite a lot. In many salads (and not only fruit), you can also add kumquat. Photos on which slices of miniature citrus fruits in the salad are visible, just talk about his presence. In addition, from it, as from any fruit, you can prepare jam (though, then you need to stock up the fruits in sufficient quantities). Some species of Fortunella grow in Georgia, they are more affordable, but not as tasty as Japanese or Chinese. If desired, the kumquat tree can be grown at home. It is not too capricious and with proper care it can fully bear fruit even in a flower pot.

Growing a home a sufficient amount of kumquat, you can make jam from it, which will be an excellent immunostimulant and help with colds. It will require ginger, sugar and, of course, kumquat (what is it, it's already clear). For 400 g of its fruits should take 100 grams of sugar and 50 grams of ginger. Sugar is made from syrup, adding half a glass of water and grated ginger, then the half-baked Fortunella fruit is sent there and cooked, stirring, for 20 minutes. The finished drug is stored in the refrigerator and used at the first sign of a cold or just with tea.

In supermarkets, you can often find dried kumquat. What is it is written on the price tag or on the packaging. Sell it can either cut, in the form of chips, or entirely in syrup, like candied fruit.