What Is a Kumquat? (Origin, Nutrition and Benefits)

Learn everything about kumquats, from their sweet, edible peel to their surprising nutritional benefits and versatile uses.

Kumquats are truly fascinating citrus fruit, not just for their looks or name, but also for their impressive nutritional punch and unique flavors.

After discovering them at my local grocery store, I tried a few and found myself intrigued by this little fruit.

In this article, I’ll dive into everything I’ve learned about kumquats, from their origins and nutritional profile to the best places to find them and more.

Also known as cumquat or Fortunella margarita, the kumquat is a small citrus fruit, much like a miniature orange in appearance.

Kumquats grow on a group of fruit-bearing trees called Citrus japonica, which belong to the Rutaceae family of flowering plants.

Though it can be hard to gauge from photos, kumquats are indeed quite small; about the size of a large grape or olive. When ripe, they take on a vibrant orange color, while unripe kumquats are green.

The name ‘kumquat’ comes from Cantonese, meaning ‘golden orange’ or ‘golden tangerine’. Native to China, kumquats have also been cultivated for centuries in other parts of South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, the Philippines, and India.

In traditional Chinese medicine, kumquats have long been valued for their role in treating minor inflammatory ailments, like colds and coughs.

Since kumquats can thrive in cooler, non-tropical climates, they’ve also been introduced and grown in Europe and North America.

Kumquat Varieties

Kumquats come in a variety of cultivars, all with slightly different looks.

• Nagami kumquats:
  These are the most common cultivars found in the US. They have a light orange color when ripe, similar to a navel orange. They are about the size of a large olive and have a similar shape with rounded ends.
• Centennial kumquats:
  These are also fairly popular across the world. They are a little larger than Nagamis and have a pointed end like a lemon. The color and flavor are similar, but these are much juicier.
• Mandarinquats:
  These are a cross between a kumquat and a mandarin. This fruit has a similar shape and size to the centennial but is much more tart. It makes a great addition to teas, jams, or as a garnish on fish.

Consuming Kumquats

Kumquats can, and should, be eaten raw. Unlike oranges, though, kumquats don’t need to be peeled.

Their peel is entirely edible and has a surprisingly sweet taste, balancing the tartness of the flesh, which, like most citrus fruits, is quite sour. While the seeds are edible, they do have a bitter taste.

The ability to eat kumquats whole makes them a fantastic, healthy snack, offering sweet, sour, and bitter flavors all in one small fruit!

This unique flavor profile also makes kumquats a versatile ingredient for a range of recipes, from cocktails and salads to meat dishes.

For a more comprehensive guide including handy recipe tips and ideas, read my article on how to eat kumquats.

Where to Find Kumquats

Since kumquats are cultivated in regions beyond Asia, they’re relatively easy to find; easier than many other exotic fruits.

While you might not spot them in large grocery store chains, smaller Asian grocery stores, gourmet food markets, and farmers’ markets are likely to carry them.

Now, let’s dive into the nutritional profile of the mighty kumquat. I’ll admit, this is my favorite part ad I’m a bit of a nerd for stats, facts, and data!

As shown in the table below (with data from the USDA), kumquats are impressively nutritious. They’re packed with standout vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C (as expected from a citrus fruit), along with calcium, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins.

Also notable is the carbohydrate content. The dietary fiber is high, offering 6.5 grams per 100 grams, and the sugar content is relatively high at 9.36 grams. But as with most fruits, this natural sugar isn’t something to worry about when enjoyed in moderation.

Just a quick note: the stats below reflect 100 grams of raw kumquats.

Kumquat Nutritional Profile (raw, 100 g)
Water	80.85 g
Energy	71 kcal
Protein	1.88 g
Fat	0.86 g
Carbohydrates	15.9 g
>> Dietary fiber	6.5 g
>> Sugars	9.36 g
Minerals
Calcium	62 mg (6% DV)
Iron	0.86 mg (7% DV)
Magnesium	20 mg (6% DV)
Manganese	0.135 mg (6% DV)
Phosphorus	19 mg (3% DV)
Potassium	186 mg (4% DV)
Sodium	10 mg (1% DV)
Zinc	0.17 mg (2% DV)
Vitamins
Vitamin A (RAE)	15 µg (2% DV)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	0.037 mg (3% DV)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.09 mg (8% DV)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	0.429 mg (3% DV)
Vitamin B6	0.036 mg (3% DV)
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	17 µg (4%)
Vitamin C	43.9 mg (53%)
Vitamin E	0.15 mg (1%)
Sources: USDA, Wikipedia

Benefits

While kumquats are indeed a healthy treat with a solid nutritional profile, they don’t necessarily stand out from other fruits. The vitamins and minerals they contain are also found in many more common fruits and vegetables.

In other words, you don’t need to rush to add kumquats to your diet just for their nutrients; a balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables is always the best approach.

With that said, let’s explore some of the specific nutritional benefits you might enjoy from eating kumquats.

1. Source of Vitamin C

Like all citrus fruits, kumquats are a great source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that supports a number of important functions in the human body.

Also known as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and helps to strengthen our immune system.

2. Source of Dietary Fiber

The kumquat is an excellent source of dietary fiber, especially the peel. With 6.5 grams of fiber per 100 grams, the tiny kumquat does stand out when it comes to fiber content compared to many other fruits.

Fiber is essential in various ways, but its main benefit is that it supports gastrointestinal health.

Dietary fiber works as a natural laxative, so that our bodies are better able to properly process the food we consume. It helps to prevent constipation and also promotes healthy gut bacteria.

3. High in Antioxidants

Kumquats contain flavonoids, which are compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Interestingly, the peel contains most of the flavonoids, rather than the flesh, which is another good reason to eat kumquats as whole fruits.

The peel also contains essential oils, which can have antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.

I hope this guide has sparked your interest in kumquats and that you’ll give them a try. Despite their small size, kumquats are a unique and delicious citrus fruit.

As you might have guessed, I love discovering new fruits and veggies. So whenever I visit the grocery store, I’m always on the lookout for something new to bring home.

And if I really enjoy it, I dive in to study and write about it, too. Have you ever tried snake fruit? Or maybe rambutan? My personal favorite, though, will always be dragon fruit, the most delicious of them all!