In this fruit review, you will learn all about the Mandarinquat, where it comes from, its health benefits, how to eat it, and what it tastes like. A mandarinquat is the cross between a Mandarin orange and a kumquat. Both of which are pretty awesome, so if you like both of those, you will love this rare citrus fruit.
Where does Mandarinquat come from and grow?
The Mandarinquat grows in many countries in the world where citrus trees thrive, places like China, Japan, South Africa, the United States, particularly in Florida and Alabama, California, Arizona, and Texas. Pretty much places without extreme weather conditions. If you can grow kumquats and mandarin oranges where you live, you can grow this there. The fruit is smaller than a mandarin and bigger than a kumquat, and it is darker orange than a kumquat. It is also bell-shaped instead of round like the mandarin and oval like the kumquat.
The tree thrives in full sun, and doesn’t get super big, between 10 and 12 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide or spread. Growing them in pots is fun and easy, and very doable. They are self-pollinating and are generally hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and can tolerate temperatures down to 26°F.
They are ripe when completely orange with no green on them, and they will have a strong citrus smell along with a slight give to them when pressed.
You can buy this specialty citrus online or you may be lucky to find them at farmers markets where you live if you live in one of the places mentioned above.
Health Benefits
The Mandarinquat, like many citrus, is packed with nutrients. Here are a few:
- High in vitamin C and other antioxidants
- High in fiber to help boost digestion
- Weight management can help you feel full
- Some research suggests that fruits like this and others help fight against cancer
You can’t go wrong by eating this amazing, rare citrus fruit.
How to eat Mandarinquat
Like the kumquat, you eat this rare fruit the same way; you can just bite right into it and are meant to eat the skin and all. The skin is the best part of mandarinquats in my opinion. You can even eat the small seeds if you wish, spit them out, or dig them out with a knife first. Great ways to use it: eat it as is for a snack, or use it in sauces, drinks, marmalades, sorbets, etc. The best way to eat it, in my opinion, is to bite into it and eat it whole.
What does a Mandarinquat taste like?
When you first take a bite of a Mandarinquat, you will be greeted with an explosion of tangy and tart, with a juicy taste of mandarins, and as you keep chewing the sweet peel, the sweetness starts to blend with the tartness, creating a yummy flavor. It definitely tastes like citrus. Such a yummy fruit, but then again, I love Kumquats and citrus in general.
Have you ever tried this rare citrus? Let me know!
Buy this fruit here. 10% off with this code: MATTTAY10
Watch the video I made of this awesome fruit!
