Fortunella - Kumquat

The kumquats or cumquats are a group of small fruit-bearing trees in the genus Fortunella related to the Citrus in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, often segregated as a separate genus, Fortunella. The edible fruit (which is also called kumquat) closely resembles that of the orange (Citrus sinensis) but is smaller and oval.

They are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs or small trees, from 2.5–4.5 metres tall, with dense branches, sometimes bearing small thorns. The leaves are dark glossy green, and the flowers pure white, similar to other citrus flowers, borne singly or clustered in the leaf-axils. The kumquat tree produces 80-100 fruit each year. The tree can be hydrophytic, and fruit is often found floating near the shore during the kumquat season.

Kumquats originated in China (they are noted in literature dating to the 12th century), and have long been cultivated there and in Japan. They were introduced to Europe in 1846 by Robert Fortune, collector for the London Horticultural Society, and shortly thereafter into North America. Originally placed in the genus Citrus, they were transferred to the genus Fortunella in 1915.


Cultivation and uses
Kumquats are cultivated in China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan, the Middle East, Europe, and the southern United States.

Kumquats are frequently eaten raw. As the rind is sweet and the juicy center is sour, the raw fruit is usually consumed either whole, to savour the contrast, or only the rind is eaten. The fruit is considered ripe when it reaches a yellowish-orange stage, and has just shed the last tint of green. The Hong Kong Kumquat has a rather sweet rind compared to the rinds of other citrus fruits.

Culinary uses include: candying and kumquat preserves, marmalade, and jelly. Kumquats appear more commonly in the modern market as a martini garnish, replacing the classic olive. They can also be sliced and added to salads. A liqueur can also be made by macerating kumquats in vodka or other clear spirit.

The Cantonese often preserve kumquats in salt or sugar. A batch of the fruit is buried in dry salt inside a glass jar. Over time, all the juice from the fruit is extracted through dehydration into the salt. The fruit in the jar becomes shrunken, wrinkled, and dark brown in color, and the salt combines with the juice to become a dark brown brine. A few salted kumquats with a few teaspoons of the brine/juice may be mixed with hot water to make a remedy for sore throats. A jar of such preserved kumquats can last several years and still keep taste.

In Taiwan, kumquats are a popular addition to both hot and iced tea.

In Vietnam, kumquat bonsai trees are used as a decoration for New Year holiday.

Variants of the kumquat are grown specially in India.


Species
Fortunella crassifolia is a species of Kumquat. They are also called, Miewa Kumquat, Round Kumquat, Sweet Kumquat. The flesh is sweet and are commonly eaten raw. They are cultivated for its edible fruit and uas as an ornamental plant They are native to China. They are grow in Japan. The fruit can also be made into jams and jellies. This species have been introduce to the USA as an ornamental plant. They usaaly kept indoors in colder climates.

Fortunella hindsii (common names, Hong Kong Kumquat or Wild Kumquat) is a species of Kumquat. It produce small edible round fruits the size of a pea. The fruit are birght orange when ripe. They are grown in gardens as an ornamental plant. They are also kept as house plant and are use to make Bonsai.

Fortunella japonica (common name, Marumi Kumquat or Nagami Kumquat) is a species of Kumquat.It produce edible golden yellow colored fruit. The fruit are small usally round but can be oval shaped. The peel has a sweet flavor but has a sour center. The fruit can be eaten raw and are also used to make marmalade. It is grown as an ornamental plant and can be used to make Bonsai.

Fortunella obovata (common name, Jiangsu Kumquat or Fukushu Kumquat) is a species of Kumquat. It bears edible fruits which can be eaten raw. The fruit can be made into jelly and marmalade. The fruit can be round or oval shaped. It has round leaves which make this species unique within the genus. They are grown for its edible fruitand as an ornamental plant.

Fortunella polyandra is a species of Kumquat native to Malaysia. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The fruits are edible and can be made into drinks. It cannot torerate frost.

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