Cooking Kumquats
Refreshing kumquat drink
It’s kumquat season again. I’ve just bought 2 packets the other day. I love the bright colour and the cute look. It reminded me of my young days when we enjoyed eating preserved kumquats. They were really delicious. It also reminded me of Chinese New Year where a lot of families decorate their houses with kumquat trees bearing beautiful kumquat fruits because to the Chinese, the ripe kumquat fruit symbolizes prosperity.
Beautiful kumquats
According to traditional Chinese medicine, kumquat is very good for sore throat and cough. It can be eaten skin and all. My friends and I used to go round and pluck ripe kumquats from their trees to eat….a little sour but delicious. Kumquats are high in vitamin C, potassium and beta carotene.
I was so excited when I got home that I had to cook it immediately. After all the spicy food, I’m sure this one is good for me. Here’s my kumquat preserve recipe to share.
Ingredients
450g kumquat
1/2C water
3/4C sugar (add more if you like)
Cooked and ready to eat
Wash the kumquats and poke holes through the kumquat with a metal skewer. Put into a pot (preferably glass) with half a cup of water and let it boil for about 15 minutes. The smell would be so good by this time. Add the sugar and let it boil for another 30 minutes under low fire. That’s it.
Fabulous kumquat preserve
You can eat it as it is, go with desserts or make into drinks. It’s just so delicious. I noticed that it tasted even much better the next day. I have almost finished all of them, just eating it like a snack or making into a drink.
To make a kumquat drink
The kumquat drink is very refreshing and delicious. I really love the smell and taste. I just put some of the cooked kumquats and syrup into a glass and top it up with hot water. Of course you can serve it cold too.
Have you ever tried kumquat? How do you cook it or use it? Please share, add and comment in the comment box below.
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30 Comments
Viviane on December 14th, 2009
I love Kumquats, but unfortunately they are too expensive to buy here 
Sook on December 14th, 2009
Mary! I’m not so sure if I’ve ever had this fruit before. They look like skinny manderin oranges to me but I’m probably way off! I want to try to find these the next time I go to a grocery store.
penny aka jeroxie on December 14th, 2009
They are lovely. I love to make a jam or chutney from them as well!
Mary on December 14th, 2009
@Angie - Maybe it’s not in season yet over on your side. It’s just coming out here I think. It’s high in vitamin C so it’s good to eat raw. It will keep us young and pretty 
@Viviane - It’s quite expensive here too but too good to resist 
@Sook - Yes, they look like tiny oranges and you can eat raw…skin and all. I really miss the mandarin preserve drink in Korea, that’s why I made this. Far from anyway close but still very delicious.
@Penny - Ooooh….I must try to make jam or chutney too. Thanks for suggestion. I’m sure they taste great too.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake on December 14th, 2009
Whenever I see the word “kumquat” it brings a smile to my face!
Cheah on December 14th, 2009
I’m having a bit of a sore throat now, wish I can have your kumquat drink!
Mary on December 14th, 2009
@Sarah - Haha….you must be a real kumquat lover. Me, too. I have almost finished everything. Will have to go and buy more.
@Cheah - Aha…what have you been eating lately? I guess you must be indulging on deep fried food. Come and I’ll make a lot for you to drink
Shirley on December 14th, 2009
I’ve never heard of kumquats before.Thank you for the information.
Mary on December 14th, 2009
@Shirley - I hope you can find it over there in India. It’s such a beautiful and delicious fruit.
Sanjana on December 14th, 2009
The kumquat preserve looks so beautiful. I wonder if I could add spices to it? Like cinnamon, cloves, anise eyc as they are all very good for the health
3hungrytummies on December 14th, 2009
Mmmm i can have this everyday!!
Mary on December 14th, 2009
@Sanjana - I’m very sure you can add spices to it. It would taste beautiful like chutney. Give a try. I’m excited to know the result.
@3hungrytummies - Haha….I can, too. I have just counted….only 16 pieces left:( I can finish that in one sitting 
kristy on December 14th, 2009
Wow, love this drink! One glass will sure never enough for me. I’ll add in sour plum, make it sweet & sour! hmm…mm… Oh man, salivating lol! I think Divina need this drink too. She’s pretty busy with her new business and some X’mas preparations. So happy for her!
Mary on December 14th, 2009
@Kristy - Wow….with sour plum. Need more sugar then but I’m sure will taste great. Haha…Divina is probably too busy to cook this. We have to make for her Yes, I’m very happy for her too. Starting a new business is always very exciting.
ravenouscouple on December 14th, 2009
we’re planning on doing the same things and giving them as gifts. we like to spice them with cinnamon etc.
Mary on December 14th, 2009
@ravenouscouple - That’s a lovely idea to make and give away as gifts. I’m sure your friends will appreciate that very much. Adding cinnamon sounds good. Thanks for sharing.
The Klutzy Cook on December 14th, 2009
Mary I haven’t had cumquats in years - now I need to get some. This looks beautiful and I love how versatile it is. The recipe is also nice and simple - especially no peeling! Like @Sanjana, I think some spices would be a nice touch.
Drick on December 14th, 2009
yes, this is almost like we do it here - we call them candied kumquats - like to slice them and serve it on cakes - like pound cakes….
Barabara Bakes on December 14th, 2009
I have never had a kumquat. It sounds like something I would love! Your preserves look delicious!
Conor @ HoldtheBeef on December 14th, 2009
I LOVE kumquats, and am lucky enough to have two decent size trees in my apartment laneway that I can go pilfer from
THanks for the recipe!!
Divina on December 15th, 2009
Hard to find kumquats here but I’m sure you’ll make this for me.
Cenwen on December 15th, 2009
Hello Mary
It’s very nice to watch and I think, I adore to taste it:)
Have a good day
Kisses
Mary on December 15th, 2009
@The Klutzy Cook - I would think adding some spices would give it extra flavour. I would love to try out a kumquate chutney.
@Drick - Candied kumquat is a nice name. Didn’t think of that earlier. Should have asked you I would like to try it on cakes. Sounds very delicious. But I have to make the candied kumquat again.
@Barabara Bakes - Give a try if you can find kumquats on your side. It’s very easy to cook and very delicious. Use it for your bakes as @Drick suggests.
@Conor - You are sure one very lucky one to have 2 kumquat trees nearby. Now I want to move to your side I wish I can plant a lot here. They look very pretty when they bear fruits.
@Divina - Of course I’ll make for you. But you have to come at the right time It’s the season now. Hope it gets cheaper when there are more. I think you can plant in your garden there. The weather is suitable. I saw these kumquat trees in Malaysia.
@Cenwen - Hi, thanks for visiting again. Trust you are doing well. This kumquat drink is really good. Hope you give it a try. Have a nice day too…..Muuuak
anncoo on December 15th, 2009
I have 3 of this kamquat plants at home. But never try to make kamquat drink.
Mary on December 15th, 2009
@Anncoo - Whah…you are very lucky to have 3 kumquat plants. You can make a lot of this awesome drink. I wish I can have one to plant in my garden.
TasteHongKong on December 16th, 2009
Probably we are going to have them soon before the Chinese New Year in Feb, 2010.
Mary, i adore this drink hot, thanks for sharing.
Mary on December 16th, 2009
@TasteHongKong - I’m sure more will be out soon. I went shopping today but didn’t see any…quite sad I love it hot too.
PJ on March 4th, 2010
Mary,I made this today and I loved sipping the hot kumquat juice and enjoyed biting into the soft fruit in syrup.Yummmmm…..
Mary on March 4th, 2010
@PJ - I’m so glad to hear that you’ve tried and liked it I don’t see any kumquats now so I can’t make them. Maybe I should go to your place and you can make for me
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on December 14th, 2009
NO sight of kumquats here….how I miss these little cuties..I love to eat them raw.