If you spend your days like me, constantly scrolling through FoodTok, you’ve probably seen lots of creators using kumquats. The tiny orange of the citrus world is making a triumphant return for citrus season. Influencers, like @korean.roots and @growithjessie, make things like kumquat syrup and show you how to grow them. Whether caramelized or canned, kumquats will soon dominate your TikTok feed, if they don’t already. And, after buying a box of kumquats from Trader Joe’s, I can support the hype.
What are kumquats?
Spoon has a whole guide to kumquats, which you can access here. But for the sparknotes version, kumquats are a proud member of the citrus family and are in season during winter. They originally came from China, but are now grown in the southern U.S. as well. The little orange treats come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. And, what’s best, you can eat them straight off the tree.
What do kumquats taste like?
Kumquats taste sweet with a strong sour and tangy flavor. And you can eat them whole! No need to peel them. What more could you want from life? Aren’t you sick of all the effort it takes to peel oranges, tangerines, and clementines every time you want a little citrus fun? That’s why I exclusively eat kumquats now.
Proper kumquat eating etiquette, at least in my mind, involves squeezing and rolling the fruit around in my palms to release its special blend of oils before popping that sour sweet burst of goodness into my mouth. Jealous? You don’t have to be.
What can you make with kumquats?
What makes kumquats so special is their versatility. They can be sugared, fermented, baked into a cake, or served in a sauce with your roast duck dinner. Consider adding kumquat marmalade to your breakfast routine, or make kumquat margaritas.
How can I celebrate kumquats?
So glad you asked. If you’re feeling the kumquat passion, you’re in luck. On January 28, Florida’s Dade City will host its annual Kumquat Festival. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you’ll have access to over 340 vendors, all selling kumquat-related products, including kumquat soda, ice cream, honey, marmalade, salsa, wine, ale, and salad dressing. However, it’s the festival’s signature kumquat pie, “a creamsicle in pie form,” that really takes the cake. They run out of pies quickly, so head over to Dade City to get your citrus-fix the moment you finish reading this article. If you can’t get to Dade City by Saturday, you can find affordable kumquats at your local Trader Joe’s, local grocery store, or farmers market.