What is kumquat useful for the human body

Original things, dishes and products always arouse interest. From the moment of full trade with southern countries, a huge amount of unfamiliar fruits, vegetables and berries poured into the stores, which are not something to try, sometimes it is impossible to pronounce. From afar, Kumquat attracts with a bright golden color, reminiscent of the rays of the generous sun of his native country.

Unknown fruit science

History is silent about why kumquat passed flesh before the attention of Europeans until the 20th century. The fruit is ubiquitous in Indochina, it is well known and described in the writings of scientists dating back to the 11th century, it includes the number of the fruits most popular and loved by the population. The habitat of the kumquat is quite wide and covers Southeast Asia, India, Japan, and some parts of America. Favorite habitat - humid subtropics, lives about 40 years.

The plant has another name, kinkan, which means “golden apple”. An eternal green tree with proper care can reach a record 2.5 -3 m in height. It is not picky about conditions, so it can be grown even at home, only the size of the plant will be more modest than in the open. The crown is dense, spherical, among the elongated elliptical leaves, fragrant white flowers with a pink tint appear first. They are gradually replaced by medium-sized ovaries, as the ripening changes its color from dark green to golden. The size of the fruits is up to 5 cm, inside the pulp is divided by partitions into 5 slices, there are few seeds, the average weight is 20 g.

Important: the skin is edible, unlike tangerines and other citrus fruits, it is not necessary to peel it, everything goes to food.

Breeders became interested in an unusual plant and its properties. So there were 7 of the most famous varieties:

• Nordmann Nagami;
• Marumi;
• Fukushi
• Malay;
• Variegated;
• Maeve;
• Hong Kong

Some varieties are appreciated for their taste, lack of seeds, others are used for decorative purposes to create landscape groups. Unusually and festively, the plant looks during the flowering period and with full ripening of the fruits.

As an experiment, several hybrids were created. He was able to cross with tangerine, orange, lime.

Delicious fruit for health and good mood

Kumquat Composition

The pulp is very juicy and contains a long list of nutrients, a place of honor in which a large number of vitamins and their high concentration of 100 g. product. Kumquat contains:

• vitamins A, E, PP, B, C;
• lutein;
• potassium;
• molybdenum;
• copper;
• manganese;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• choline;
• calcium;
• mono and disaccharides;
• organic acids;
• Omega 3 and 6.

The main share is carbohydrates, in fruits a large percentage of water.

Beneficial features

In Chinese traditional medicine, kumquat is highly regarded for its versatility and is used for therapeutic and preventive purposes, in cosmetology, and in weight control.

Regular consumption of food heals the body through a wide range of actions, which include properties such as:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antioxidant;
• antifungal;
• antiseptic.

Kinkan is useful for violations of blood composition, decreased visual acuity, the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma, and malfunctions in the immune system. The rich composition of micro and macro elements supports the nervous system, relieving chronic stress. The high fiber and dietary fiber content reduces the risk of diabetes by regulating insulin levels and the rate of glucose breakdown. For the normal operation of the digestive tract, it is enough to eat 3-5 golden fruits that prevent excessive gas formation, flatulence, sour taste in the mouth and heartburn.

In 100 gr. Kumquat contains 2/3 of the daily dose of vitamin C needed for an adult. So, viruses, fungal infections, pathogenic microbes have practically no chance to harm health. An amazing remedy for a hangover was invented by nature. A few dried fruits can tidy up and remove most of the symptoms after yesterday's party.

For women during menopause and PMS, kumquat combines enjoyment with taste and serious relief of symptoms. A few pieces a day relieves irritability, apathy, tearfulness, attacks of aggression, does not allow the development of depressive states. In the first half of pregnancy, kumquat reduces nausea with toxicosis, normalizes appetite. For skin diseases, the essential oil contained in ripe fruits is used. It is also part of the invigorating aromatic compositions. A similar effect will be obtained by pieces of the peel, laid out on the battery and near the stove in the kitchen.

You should know: the combination of crushed kumquat with honey normalizes heart rhythms, reduces the risk of heart attack.

SPA procedures with the addition of oil refresh the skin, narrow pores, reduce inflammation, and reduce postpartum stretch marks. Masks whiten the skin, smooth its texture, increase elasticity, fight facial wrinkles, lighten age spots. The oil extract is used in body wraps for cellulite, is part of the compositions for aromatherapy, enhances the tonic effect of cosmetics.

Limitations and Potential Harm

Citrus fruits, which include kumquat, are characterized by a high probability of allergic reactions. In addition, there is a rare phenomenon - intolerance to certain fruits. If before this these fruits were never eaten, then it is worth starting with 1 piece, then gradually increasing the amount.

In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by increased acidity, it is recommended that no more than 1 fruit per day, in some cases, especially in the diagnosis of ulcers, exacerbation of pancreatitis, you have to completely abandon the exotic treat. Diabetes places certain restrictions on a number of foods. For example, fruits should only be eaten fresh, not more than 1-2 pieces per day.

Kinkan is contraindicated in obesity in dried and dried form. Fresh fruits, on the contrary, accelerate the metabolism, with moderate physical exertion, increase endurance, accelerate the process of fat conversion, and remove fluid eliminating edema.

Dried and Sun-dried Kumquat

Despite the high water content, the fruits are perfectly dried, acquiring an orange-red color. In this form, they are more familiar, since they are often found among dried fruits along with dried apricots and prunes. In this form, they are stored for a long time without losing useful properties. Decoctions are made from it, dried peel is used for inhalation, baths in the fight against foot fungus.

Sun-dried fruits acquire a sweeter taste, retain most of the nutrients, are excellent as a dessert, decorate confectionery and pastries.

Fresh fruit selection rules

You can’t try the selected fruit in the store before you buy it. So that the acquisition does not disappoint, you need to follow a few simple tips:

1. The skin color should be even, without spots and dents.
2. The presence of a short petiole indicates freshness and natural growing conditions.
3. Golden color with an orange tint and elasticity of the flesh indicate full ripeness of the fruit.
4. Soft-touch citruses have already ripened and begin to deteriorate.
5. A whitish coating indicates a violation of storage rules, the processing performed with synthetic substances to increase the shelf life of the product.

Cooking Application

Sometimes it is worth a vase with dried fruits to serve with tea or coffee instead of sweets or chocolate. To increase immunity, another delicious recipe is used. On the basis of green or black tea, a mixture of 2 parts of kumquat or its peel, 1 part of ginger and 1 clove bud is brewed, insisted to a comfortable temperature, drunk slowly, in small sips.

Interesting fact: the fruits do not lose their properties when frozen.

Kumquat, like lemon, can be grown on the windowsill. Its peculiarity is that the trees grown from seed have a very weak root system, therefore it is recommended to plant it on another base or to purchase a seedling. He does not like drafts and loves spraying from a shallow watering can or spray bottle. The fruits of home-made citrus do not differ at all from imported fruits in terms of composition and amount of beneficial properties. If the harvest is successful, then it is worth boiling fragrant jam, freezing or drying the fruits in order to enjoy the special sweet and sour taste of the exotic fruit for longer.

Video: what is kumquat, and how is it useful?