| Description |
Kumquats are small, slow-growing evergreen trees in the Citrus genus that produce clusters of small fruit about the size of olives. Different species produce fruits of varying shapes (oval, rounded, or oblong), color (yellow to red-orange), and flavor (tart to sweet). The fruit is eaten whole, with the tightly clinging peel intact. Depending on size and age, kumquats can produce between hundreds and thousands of fruit each year. They are self-pollinating and begin to bear fruit within 1-3 years of planting. Kumquats have dense branches that sometimes have small thorns, glossy green leaves, and fragrant white flowers that grow to 7cm in diameter. Kumquats are notable for being the most cold-hardy citrus. They can survive lower temperatures than other citrus (as low as -10°C) because they enter a deeper period of dormancy, which takes higher temperatures to break. While orange trees start to grow at 12°C, kumquats require temperatures of 26°C before they develop fruit. Even though they can survive low temperatures, they produce larger, sweeter fruits in warmer regions.
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