Komfort Food
Sweet Pickled Kumquats
This bright, colorful, sweet and slightly tart citrus is found in many areas around Southern California. The fruit can be eaten raw along with its skin, that's part of it's magical quality. Our pickling process has been passed down the generations and remains the same. Slow, multiple cooking along with some spices and sugar and vinegar to keep the whole kumquats plump and beautiful. A delicious treat.
Our price is $6.80
Maybe you have one of these trees and just don't know how to use this wonderful fruit. One tree can produce a ton of fruit. There are many great recipes available. First of all, kumquats are delicious straight from the tree. No need to peel them nor deseed them. In fact, if you rub them between your palms, you will release more oils in the skin and they will become sweeter. You will taste both the sweetness from the skin and the tartness from the inside. And this fruit is great in salads, and in many other recipes. The name 'kum-quat' literally means "gold-orange". These trees are native to, and prevalent in, Asia -- specifically in China and Indochina. They are also cultivated in Japan and in the United States (in warmer states). Although the trees are grown for their sweet, edible fruits, they are also used as ornamental plants because of their shiny leaves and delicate white flowers that bloom in the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions about our Preserves
Q: What is the difference between a jam, a preserve, a jelly and marmalade?
A: This is a common question. A jam and preserve are the same -- they contain chunks of fruit or pureed fruit. A jelly is made from the juice of the fruit and a marmalade is a jelly with suspended citrus rind.
Q: Where do you get the fruit for your jams?
A: Our citrus fruit for our marmalades comes from the Riverside area and also our own trees. The berries are from Northern California, Oregon and Washington. We also get fresh vegetables for some of our products from the Los Angeles produce market.
Q: What is the shelf life of your jams?
A: Our jams, jellies, and marmalades have a long shelf life, typically about 2 years. Some light colored products may darken with age but the flavor will remain.
Q: I notice that sometimes your jams crystallize, why?
A: We make all of our jams using pure cane sugar for optimum flavor. Because this sugar is not an invert sugar, it tends to 'crystallize' when refrigerated. This means that sugar crystals appear. The jam is still good. To make the crystals disappear, place in your microwave for about 15 seconds (remove the lid). We recommend that you store our jams at room temperature, even after opening. The shelf life after opening is about 6 months. If refrigeration is required, there will be a note on the label.
Get to know the Kumquat
- Meiwa - this variety has a sweet outer skin and a sweet inner pulp with a very thick skin. Large round fruit. This is the best variety for eating fresh.
- Nagami - this variety has a yellow skin and is oval shaped. This is the most common variety in the United States.
- Marumi - a round shaped fruit with bright orange colored skin. Aromatic and spicy fruit and the tree is more cold-tolerant.
- Hong Kong - native to Hong Kong and parts of China. Nearly round fruit with plump seeds and small amount of pulp. Chinese people love this variety, however, the thorny branches make it an ornamental pot plant elsewhere.
