Contents
Kumquat: beneficial properties. video
Similar to tiny tangerines, the kumquat fruit is the juiciest and most aromatic citrus fruit. They can be eaten straight with their bright rind. It is the skin of this fruit that is sweet, but the flesh is most often sour. Initially, the kumquat was bred as an ornamental tree, but it soon became clear that its fruits are not only tasty, but also healthy.
Nutritional value of kumquat
The calorie content of a 100 g serving of kumquats is about 70 calories. This is almost as much as a handful of grapes of the same weight. These fruits are low in protein, but high in carbohydrates and fiber. The same serving of fruit contains 6,5 g of dietary fiber.
There are several types of kumquats. The sweetest, in which the flesh is the same as the skin, is the round and yellow marumi kumquat
Like all citrus fruits, kumquat is an excellent source of vitamin C. It contains about 44 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g. In addition, kumquat contains vitamins A and E, phytonutrients, minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, selenium, iron, copper and zinc.
Useful properties of kumquat
Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants. Thanks to him, kumquats not only increase immunity, protecting against flu, colds, and other infections, but also promote collagen synthesis, rapid wound healing, and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, and diabetes. Among other things, vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron and may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Other antioxidants present in kumquat fruits, as well as phytonutrients and flavonoids such as carotene, tannin, zeaxanthin, pectin and others, protect the body from cancer. Flavonoids not only rid the body of mutagens and carcinogens, but also suppress the development of tumors.
By consuming kumquat regularly, you lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood, thus increasing blood flow and reducing your risk of stroke and heart attack. The potassium in the fruit helps maintain blood pressure and heart rate.
Eat kumquats with the peel as it contains many essential oils and nutrients. The combination of nutrients in the skin of the fruit can play a role in the treatment of gallstones and relieve heartburn
Also, kumquat is good for the health of teeth and gums, it can strengthen hair and nails, minimize joint problems, positively affect your ability to concentrate and reduce fatigue.
Kumquat fruit can be eaten whole, remembering to spit out the truly bitter seeds. Cutting in half and removing the seeds, kumquat can be added to salads, both fruit and fresh herbs, put in yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream. Kumquats are used to make jams, marmalade, candied fruits and spicy chutney sauce.
One of the most curious ways to use the fruit is to infuse cognac on it. Take: – 500 g of kumquat fruit; – 300 g of sugar; – 1 liter of cognac (brandy).
Place the kumquats in a jar, cover with sugar and pour in the alcohol. Close the jar with a tight lid, turn it upside down, and leave in a cool, dark place for one to two weeks. Flip the can back and forth every day. So you can infuse the drink for up to a month.
Read also an interesting article about recipes for cooking oil fish.