‘Quat Spot
With citrus season in full swing, kumquats are available in volume to bring zesty flavor to dishes, drinks and snack time. Mandarinquats and Centennial, Meiwa and Nagami kumquats are all small, bright orange fruits that can be eaten whole. The aromatic peel is the sweetest part, and its flavor helps offset the tartness of the juice inside.
Mandarinquats, a cross of (you guessed it) a mandarin and a kumquat, are crunchier than other kumquats. The flavor starts sweet and becomes tangy but not sharp.
Centennial kumquats are the largest of the classic kumquats, with a rounder shape and variegated peel that is thinner than its cousins. The flesh is tart and juicy.
Meiwa are next in size, round in shape with a particularly thick aromatic peel that makes them notably sweeter and balances the tartness of the flesh.
Bite-sized Nagami are the smallest, with a symmetrical oval shape and complex flavor that’s almost spicy.
All four varieties are delicious in both sweet and savory dishes, from marmalades and ice cream to salads and ceviche, and make fun additions to drinks.
Check out OGC’s citrus toolkit for detailed information about all the citrus varieties we offer.