Cumquat recipes - Burke's Backyard (2024)

Fact Sheets » Food and Recipes » » Cumquat recipes

© 2024 CTC Productions Pty Limited. All rights reserved. The material presented on this website, may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of CTC Productions.


Cumquat Recipes below – best recipe is for dark chocolate cake with cumquats and it’s in the August 2009 issue of the Burke’s Backyard magazine

Tracy Rutherford’s SpicedCumquats

  • 1kg cumquats

  • 1/2 cups (330g) caster sugar

  • 1/2 cup (125mL) water

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 6 lightly crushed cardamom pods

  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1. Halve the cumquats lengthways and prise out any pips. Combine the sugar, water and cumquats in a large saucepan and stir over low heat, without boiling, until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Add the spices, stir to combine. Cover and bring to the boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 10 minutes. Spoon into sterilised jars (2 x 500mL or 4 x 250mL) and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Refrigerate after opening, and use within 6 weeks.
Note:these are great with roast duck or pork.

Cumquat Marmalade

  • 2 cups cumquats, washed and sliced
  • 2 cups water
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 cups sugar

* If you have a bumper crop of cumquats, double the quantities.

  1. Wash and slice fruit finely and remove seeds (but don’t throw the seeds away).
  2. Place the fruit in a large saucepan, cover with water and soak overnight (or for around 8 hours). Put the seeds in a separate container (such as a cup) and soak in a small amount of boiling water. Leave overnight.
  3. Next day strain the liquid from the seeds. Discard the seeds and add the water to the cumquats. Cook gently on a low heat until the fruit is tender and the liquid is reduced by half.
  4. Add the sugar and lemon juice. When all the sugar has dissolved, turn up the heat and boil rapidly until the mixture jells (around 30-45 minutes). Tip: stir often, or the marmalade will burn!
  5. To test if the marmalade is jelling, spoon a little onto a cold saucer. If a skin forms, and it glazes on the surface and wrinkles when touched, it is ready. If it is still runny, boil for a little longer and test again.
  6. Pour into hot sterilised jars and seal.

Cumquat brandy

  • 750g cumquats
  • 500g caster sugar
  • 750mL bottle brandy
  • sterilised 1-litre sealable jar

Wash and dry the cumquats, the prick each of them several times with a fine skewer or needle.

Combine the sugar with 500ml of brandy and stir well until the sugar has dissolved in the brandy.

Place the cumquats in the jar, then pour in the sugar/brandy syrup. This amount should fill the jar close to the brim, but if not top it up with more brandy.Seal the jar and place in a dry dark place, such as a cupboard. For the first week, turn over the jar once each day to help dissolve the sugar. Then, after that, turn over the jar once a week to keep on mixing things up. The whole thing should be ready in three months. The idea is that you can eat the cumquats and drink the brandy, too!

For a sweeter result, use more sugar, but don’t use less. The cumquats are fairly tart, so they’ll be hard to eat with less sugar used.

Cumquat cooking ideas

Just as people enjoy a slice of lemon with black tea, try a slice of cumquat instead, and experiment with different teas. I like a slice of cumquat with Twinings Darjeeling tea.

Cumquats will go well with those meats which like a sweet sauce, such as duck, pork or chicken. If you’re making up a barbecue marinade for these meats, try slicing in a few cumquats and see what happens to the flavour!

If you’re making a stuffing for a roast chicken or turkey, finely chop one or two cumquats to add these to the stuffing mix, but offset the tartness of the cumquats with something sweeter, such as chopped apple or pear.

Related Articles

  • UV Pigment in Budgies, Gouldian Finches, Platypuses,…
  • Peter Valder
  • Bougainvillea Hack for Maximum Flowers
  • Best Pot Plants for Shade
  • Native Birds Adapting to Man Made Environments

Latest Articles

  • Gouldian Finch Road Test

    Gouldian Finch- Pet Road Test Breed: Gouldian Finch…

    read more
  • Bougainvillea Hack for Maximum Flowers

    This video shows the perfect way to grow…

    read more
  • Andalusian Horse Road Test

    BREED: Andalusian TEMPERAMENT: Docile, easily trained COST: $3000-$8000+…

    read more
  • Peter Valder

    This week we lost our dear friend and…

    read more
  • Best Pot Plants for Shade

    What are the best pot plants for shady…

    read more

Cumquat recipes - Burke's Backyard (7)Cumquat recipes - Burke's Backyard (8)Cumquat recipes - Burke's Backyard (9)

Cumquat recipes - Burke's Backyard (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with a bunch of kumquats? ›

"I like kumquats poached whole in simple syrup with a splash of orange blossom water, lemon juice, and then stored in the syrup. Then, they can be used in all sorts of ways: spooned over bostock whole, blended and frozen into a sorbet, or baked into tea cakes."

How do you use cumquats? ›

You can use them on salads, pork, chicken, cheesecakes, or even with chocolate ice cream. Or you can do what I do, which is to sneak a couple out of the fridge and just eat them straight.

Are kumquats native to Australia? ›

Kumquats (also known as cumquats) are the small fruit of what are thought to be the ancestors of many of the types of citrus we enjoy today. Originally from China, they spread to other parts of Asia, to Europe and, in the mid-19th century, to Australia.

Can you grow kumquats in Australia? ›

Growing tips

They're hardy trees and will grow well in cool climates as well as warm areas. They need a spot with well-drained soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunshine a day. Early to mid autumn is an ideal time to plant a new cumquat tree.

What liquor is made from kumquats? ›

Bright and sweet-tangy ripe kumquat makes the beautiful liqueur in very easy steps. All you need is the patience, as once the ingredients are assembled, it takes several months for it to be ready to drink.

What are the side effects of kumquats? ›

Additionally, kumquats are very high in fiber. While this is definitely beneficial in terms of health, increasing your fiber intake too quickly can lead to unwanted side effects, such as bloating, cramps and diarrhea.

How many kumquats should you eat per day? ›

You can roughly consume four to five kumquats per day that weigh up to 100 grams. They help meet more than half of the daily requirements of vitamin C. In addition, it provides reasonable amounts of fibre and nutrients in fair amounts.

Are you supposed to eat kumquat skin? ›

Kumquats look like tiny oranges, but unlike oranges, these small fruits are eaten whole, peel and all. The peel is full of nutrients and tastes sweet and aromatic. Although they can be eaten whole, wash and dry them thoroughly before consumption.

Should you eat kumquat skin? ›

Kumquats are best eaten whole — unpeeled. Their sweet flavor actually comes from the peel, while their juice is tart. The only caveat is that if you're allergic to the peel of common citrus fruits, you may need to pass up kumquats. If the tart juice turns you off, you can squeeze it out before eating the fruit.

Why are kumquats so expensive? ›

"It's a very labor intensive crop so it is dependent on being able to hire the workforce to pack supply," he explained. "When there are not enough workers available, prices escalate and if the prices are too high, movement stops." Kumquats are finding many ways to be utilized, whether eaten directly or not.

How long does it take for a kumquat tree to bear fruit? ›

Grafted kumquat trees should bear harvestable fruit in the third year from planting. Fruit that forms in the first two years should be removed to direct all energy into the development of a strong root system and canopy growth. Watering: All fruit trees should get consistent water in the first few years.

What fruit is mistaken for kumquat? ›

Well, you look like one! Loquats, also known as a Japanese apricot or plum, are in the Rosaceae family, the same as apples, pears, peaches and nectarines. Kumquats, however, are a citrus fruit — think of them as the smaller, tarter version of an orange.

Do you need 2 kumquat trees to produce fruit? ›

Kumquat trees are self-fertile and can be grown as single specimens. If planting in containers, use the largest planter you can manage if you live in a cold climate where the plant will be brought indoors in winter. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

What is the lifespan of a kumquat tree? ›

Description. Form: Shrub. Lifespan: Productive up to 50 years in a good location with proper care.

Do you need two kumquat trees? ›

In general, you do not need two kumquat trees to produce fruit, as citrus trees are self-pollinating. This means that they can produce fruit on their own without the need for a second kumquat or citrus tree nearby.

Can I freeze whole kumquats? ›

Yes, kumquats can be frozen for long-term storage. Wash and dry the fruit before placing it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thawed kumquats can be used in recipes or enjoyed as a snack.

How many kumquats can you eat a day? ›

You can roughly consume four to five kumquats per day that weigh up to 100 grams. They help meet more than half of the daily requirements of vitamin C. In addition, it provides reasonable amounts of fibre and nutrients in fair amounts.

What is the best way to store kumquats? ›

How to store fresh kumquats. Similar to oranges, they last for a few days kept in the kitchen fruit bowl. If kept in a sealed container, they can last up to two weeks in the fridge. Since 80% of their weight is from water, they're incredibly hydrating to eat will begin shrivel within a week out of the fridge.

Do you eat kumquat skin? ›

Kumquats look like tiny oranges, but unlike oranges, these small fruits are eaten whole, peel and all. The peel is full of nutrients and tastes sweet and aromatic. Although they can be eaten whole, wash and dry them thoroughly before consumption.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 5706

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.