Loquat Vs. Kumquat, How Are They Different? What To Know

It has become apparent that throughout time, we’ve all gained interest in fruits and vegetables in addition to their differences and similarities. We’re about to take you on a whole new journey down the produce aisle as we learn more about this topic.

These fruits belong to the citrus family. We can distinguish the two depending on the climate in which they are grown and their size. The Loquat is susceptible to cold and can reach heights of over 7 meters, unlike the Kumquat thrives in cold climates and can reach 4 meters.

How Are They Different?

Loquat and Kumquat, these two words sound alike; however, these fruits are not twins. Here’s the difference between them:

Loquats belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes apples, pears, peaches, and nectarines. The fruit has a sweet tropical flavor with a hint of bitterness; as a subtropical fruit, loquats thrive in citrus-producing areas. Loquats can be cultivated in locations where citrus cannot be grown, but Kumquats are a citrus fruit with a more traditional citrus flavor and require sunlight.

Unlike Kumquats, which demand more significant effort, Loquats require minor upkeep throughout the growing season. Finding a tree with a healthy root system is critical when dealing with Kumquats; they should receive a minimum of six and up to seven hours of direct sunlight every 24 hours, which will aid in root development in the early stages. Eight to ten hours is optimal for a healthy, happy plant as it grows, so it’s safe to say that Kumquats are high maintenance compared to Loquat.

Now that we’ve determined the differences let’s dive into learning all about these fruits individually.

Loquat

The Loquat is a medium-sized tree with a rounded crown, short trunk, and woolly young twigs that can reach 20 to 30 feet (6-9 inches). This tree is endemic to China, and its sweet, citrus-like fruit is appreciated.

Loquats are small, round fruits that grow in clusters of 4 to 30.

They are oval, rounded, or pear-shaped, long, smooth, or downy skin, yellow to orange, sometimes red-blushed, white, yellow or orange, succulent flesh, sweet to subacid, or acid flavor the cultivar, their hue ranges from yellow to red-orange.

The fruit, seeds, and leaves of the loquat tree are high in solid plant chemicals and have been utilized in traditional medicine for thousands of years.

Origin

The Loquat, an old fruit that has been produced in Japan for over 1,000 years, is most likely a native of China’s colder hill areas. Loquats have been grown as ornamentals in California for many years, particularly along the southern coastal plains. However, they thrive in a wide range of soils and climates.

What Does A Loquat Taste Like?

Each of the loquat trees has a distinct flavor. In general, the taste reminds you of a combination of mango, apricot, and tangerine. Some have a pear-like flavor, while others have a distinct pineapple flavor. If we were to choose one word to represent the flavor, it would be tropical with hints of citrus and mango with an apricot-like texture.

Is Loquat Skin Edible?

Loquats can be eaten raw, just like other fruits, and the skin can be consumed. Just keep in mind that the center contains seeds. A loquat can be eaten like a plum by tearing off the stem and unzipping the skin, edible but bland.

How To Cultivate?

There are 1 to 3 seeds in each loquat fruit. Wash the meat away from the seeds after breaking the fruit apart. Allowing loquat seeds to dry out may prevent germination, so it’s preferable to plant them right away.

Germination of loquat seeds is best done in a bright, warm environment. Keep the seeds moist until they sprout. You can transplant the seedlings into their pots when they are around 6 inches tall. Leave some of the roots exposed while transplanting.

Health Benefits

Loquats are abundant in antioxidants.

Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells from harm and disease. According to research, the leaves of this fruit contain a higher antioxidant impact than many medicinal plants.

The loquat leaf, seed, and fruit have all confirmed the reduction of inflammation. It also works to treat diabetes, cancer, bacterial infections, aging, pain, allergies, and other ailments.

Kumquat

Kumquats are a genus of small fruit-bearing trees belonging to the Rutaceae family of flowering plants. The edible fruit is similar in color and shape to an orange (Citrus sinensis), although it is considerably smaller, about a large olive. Kumquat is a citrus that can withstand frigid temperatures.

Origin

Some studies show Kumquats to have originated in China. In 1178 A.D., the first registered acknowledgment of the fruit was in Chinese literature.

In 1646, a European writer reported the fruit reported to him by a Portuguese missionary who had worked in China for 22 years.

Kumquats became included in a list of plants cultivated in Japan in 1712. Since the mid-nineteenth century, they’ve bloomed in Europe and North America, mainly beautiful dooryard trees and potted specimens in patios and greenhouses. They are primarily grown in California, Florida, and Texas; Also to a lesser extent in Puerto Rico and South America.

What Does A Kumquat Taste Like?

The Kumquat has a unique citrus flavor. While the fruit is slightly sweet, it has a solid sour and tangy flavor. You eat a kumquat the same way you eat an orange once it’s nice and clean: Peel it (or don’t) and eat it. You can eat the seeds or pluck them out—the option is yours!

Is Kumquat Skin Edible?

Yes, you can eat it! The peel of a kumquat is surprisingly tasty. The fruit’s peel is the sweetest component.

How To Cultivate?

Kumquat trees require direct sunlight, with at least six hours of daylight every day being ideal. If you provide your Kumquat with bright, indirect sunlight, it will thrive.

Kumquats grow well in any soil pH, though slightly acidic soil is best.

Kumquats can be grown in pots with cactus or citrus potting soil, although any general-purpose potting soil will suffice.

One of the most important aspects of cultivating any citrus plant, especially those grown in pots, is proper hydration. The first few years of a plant’s life are critical for keeping the roots moist. A layer of mulch over the root zone will assist in maintaining soil moisture in place but keep it a few inches away from the trunk to minimize fungal problems.

Kumquat is a frost-sensitive plant. Bring potted plants indoors for the winter in zones eight and below.

Apply a diluted liquid fertilizer, such as liquid kelp, fish emulsion, seaweed, and fish emulsion combination, to your tree regularly during the growing season. To avoid burning the plant, water well before and after applying fertilizer.

Health Benefits

This fruit is high in antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and B-complex vitamins. They also include minerals including calcium, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, selenium, and zinc, as well as flavonoid antioxidants including carotenes, lutein, and zeaxanthin, and tannins.

Kumquats have several health benefits, including the capacity to regulate digestion, strengthen the immune system, and promote skin, hair, dental, and eye health. They also lower cholesterol, strengthen bones, and stimulate nerve function, all of which minimize your risk of developing diabetes.

What To Know About The Two?

We know the difference between the two, and we have covered all of its quirks. Now here’s a list of interesting facts about these non-related fruits:

• The loquat blooms in the fall and winter.
• Bees are the loquat’s primary pollinators.
• The loquat fruit is used to make plum wine.
• In traditional Chinese medicine, loquat is used to treat digestive and respiratory problems.
• Loquat is a perennial plant that can live in the wild for more than 50 years.
• Kumquats are mentioned for the first time in Chinese literature from the 12th century.
• The word Kumquat derives from the Chinese gām-gwāt 金橘, which means “golden orange” or “golden tangerine.”
• Saint Joseph is a town in Florida. Was Once The World’s Kumquat Capital, while the kumquat plant is native to South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, it is in Saint Joseph, Florida, that most of them are grown and the most kinds.
• Kumquats Come in Over 20 Different Varieties; there are 20 different sorts of kumquats, ranging from round to oval kumquats, jiangsu kumquats, and Centennial Variegated kumquats. They all taste the same since they all have the same density of the fruit.

Conclusion

If we were to sum up these two fruits, it would come down to understanding their physical differences, how much nurturing attention each fruit requires, and the color and taste.

One thing is for sure although, these fruits may not be in the same category. However, both of them come packed with vitamins and minerals that are super beneficial for your health and prevent diseases.

It comes down to preference between these two.