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Summary
Fortunella margarita (Citrus japonica),
The oval kumquat is a small, flavorful fruit which can be eaten raw or cooked. The whole fruit, including the rind, is consumed, with the peel being sweet and the flesh sour. Squeeze and massage the fruit before eating to blend the flavours of the peel and flesh. The fruit is used to make jellies, and preserves and as a flavouring in various dishes. As the fruit ripens, it gradually loses water and becomes richer in flavour, making it ideal for preserves at that stage. The fruit is about 4 cm in diameter and is rich in pectin, particularly in the inner peel, which contains about 10% pectin. This pectin content makes it suitable for jams and jellies, giving them a good texture and consistency. Kumquats are a great source of vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants. The fruit, especially the peel, contains beneficial flavonoids that help reduce inflammation and promote overall health. Kumquats are low in calories, making a healthy snack option. Oval kumquats can be candied, made into marmalades, or added to baked goods. They are often used in Asian cuisine in savoury dishes and pair well with poultry and fish. Fruit is used to make liqueurs or added to cocktails for a refreshing citrus twist.
In traditional Chinese medicine, kumquats aid digestion and relieve coughs and colds due to their high vitamin C content. The peel, rich in essential oils, has also been used in remedies to treat sore throats.
Kumquats are sensitive to water-logging, so well-drained soil is essential. Although frost-tolerant, the plant is not hardy in very cold regions, withstanding temperatures down to -5 to -10°C when dormant. Young spring growth is frost-tender. The plant stops growing when temperatures fall below 13°C but can tolerate cool conditions better than most citrus species. The fruit should ripen in warmer conditions for the best flavour, as this enhances its sweetness. Oval kumquat plants do not have spines on their branches, making them easier to maintain and harvest than other kumquat varieties.
The oval kumquat is native to Southeast China and Hainan and was introduced to Assam, California, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Gambia, Haiti, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.
Physical Characteristics

Fortunella margarita is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Pectin
Fruit - raw or cooked[183]. They can also be used in jellies, preserves etc or as a flavouring[183]. The whole fruit, rind as well, is eaten raw. It is best to first squeeze and massage the fruit in order to combine the flavours of the flesh and the rind[183]. After ripening the fruit gradually loses water content, becomes richer in flavour and is then at its best for making preserves[183]. The fruit is up to 4cm in diameter[200]. The fruit is rich in pectin, the inner peel containing about 10%[218].
References More on Edible Uses
Composition
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Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
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Fruit (Dry weight)
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- 356 Calories per 100g
- Water : 0%
- Protein: 5.2g; Fat: 2.5g; Carbohydrate: 89g; Fibre: 10g; Ash: 3.3g;
- Minerals - Calcium: 240mg; Phosphorus: 300mg; Iron: 5.5mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 835mg; Potassium: 1172mg; Zinc: 0mg;
- Vitamins - A: 1000mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.74mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.4mg; Niacin: 4.2mg; B6: 0mg; C: 305mg;
- Reference: [ 218]
- Notes: The figures given here are the median of a range given in the report.
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Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Pectin
Agroforestry uses:
Kumquats can be used as a hedge or ornamental plant. They are also beneficial in permaculture systems as they attract pollinators and provide fruit. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Kumquat flowers produce nectar and pollen, attracting pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – The fruits of kumquats are eaten by birds and mammals. The dense foliage provides good cover and could offer shelter for small animals or birds. It may also provide limited nesting opportunities for small birds.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The tree can provide shelter for some invertebrates, with its leaf litter offering overwintering sites for insects.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
Yes – The strong citrus scent of kumquat leaves and fruit can act as a natural deterrent for certain pests, making it useful as a pest confuser in gardens.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position[200]. Prefers a pH of 5 to 6[200]. Plants are intolerant of water logging[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, when dormant it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. Kumquats are sometimes cultivated in China for their edible fruit, there are some named varieties[200]. They are hardier than the various Citrus species since they cease growth when temperatures drop below 13°c but, for best results, they are best grown in a climate where temperatures do not fall lower than between 4 and 10°c[3]. This is because the fruit is sweeter when it ripens in warm conditions[3]. kumquats are generally self-fertile. Kumquats are typically harvested in late winter to early spring.
Kumquat trees usually flower in the spring.
Kumquat trees are slow to moderate growers. They reach maturity in about 3 to 5 years and typically reach a height of 1.5 to 2.5 meters (5 to 8 feet).
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm airy position in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some winter protection from the cold for a year or two.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Guangdong Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Hong Kong
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Lour.)Swingle.
Botanical References
200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
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Subject : Fortunella margarita
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