Loquats are a fruit that is a cross between an apricot and an orange.
They look like oranges, but they have a sweet flavor to them.
Cooking with loquats can be tricky since the skin is very soft and needs to be removed before cooking.
However, it makes for great desserts or sauces when cooked together for long periods.
This post will answer what loquats taste like and how to use them and where you might find them.
What are Loquats?
Loquats are small, round fruit that looks like the size of an apple and is similar to other citrus fruits.
This tree native from China has many different names, including a “Chinese plum” and the “Japanese medlar”.
Loquats have thick skin on their exterior with sweet flesh inside; they’re usually eaten fresh or as a dessert for people who want something tangy yet mellow at the same time.
Loquats are in season from March to June, so now’s the time to pick up a bunch at your local market, or if you’re feeling adventurous, do some online research and order them direct.
There are many different varieties of this fruit, including Advance, Champagne, Gold Nugget, Emanuel, and more.
Each type has its taste and features, so you’ll need to research which one best suits your needs.
Where Do Loquats Grow?
Loquats are a tropical fruit that only grows in warm, sunny climates.
They can be found throughout the tropics and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America.
Still, they belong to China originally where their name comes from – luoqie or “loquat”.
Each variety will have a different growing season, so it is best to check the area you live in for availability.
The loquat tree can grow up to 12 feet high and will have white flowers that are fragrant at dusk, which attract night-time pollinators such as moths, bats, and beetles.
They may also be yellow or peach, depending on their variety.
It’s important not to confuse loquats with litchis – those delicious fuzzy red fruits you see now and then at the grocery store that looks similar but taste nothing alike.
Health and Nutritional Benefits of Loquats
Loquats are a sweet, flavorful fruit of the magnolia family that can be enjoyed all year round.
They’re often called Japanese medlar because of their similar shape, size, and texture.
Loquats are high in fiber, vitamin A (more than a carrot), Vitamin C (twice as much as an orange), calcium, and potassium.
Here is a list of just some of the health benefits loquat’s offer:
- A source for natural sugar with more antioxidants than blueberries or strawberries.
- It can help maintain healthy teeth by keeping them clean due to its abrasive properties.
- The fruit’s vitamins promote collagen production, which allows the skin to rejuvenate naturally over time.
Loquats are adequate for the stomach because they contain soluble fibers that bind bile acids in the stomach and small intestine, which prevents them from being absorbed into the body.
This can help alleviate diarrhea and constipation.
Loquats contain a plethora of nutrients that will keep you healthy while supplying your diet with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and many more health benefits that are too long to list here.
How to Know When Loquats are Ripe?
Loquats are a small, sweet fruit that is best enjoyed right when they arrive in the market.
But how do you know if your loquat has reached its peak season?
Ripe loquats have a yellowish-green color and are soft to the touch.
They can be eaten right away or refrigerated for up to two weeks.
When picking them off of branches, try looking at how heavy they feel as they ripest when they feel heavy.
When picking off the ground, you can pick them up and shake them to see if any come loose, as those are typically the ripest ones.
What Do Loquats Taste Like?
Loquat trees are in the same family as persimmons and plum trees, with an oval-shaped fruit that is yellow or orange when ripe.
The subtle flavor of loquats could be described as a mixture between apricots and peaches because it has some tartness and sweetness to balance out its acidic notes.
Loquats can range in flavor and texture depending on when they’re harvested: At their peak ripeness, you’ll have a soft, slightly sweet loquat with crunchy skin that’s full of juice.
When it isn’t quite ripe yet, its flesh will be firmer with a sourer taste.
A ripe, juicy loquat can be a real treat.
These fruits have an oblong shape with yellow skin and flesh that’s sweet-tart in flavor.
You may want to use them to make pies or jams because they’re not too acidic when cooked down like other citrus fruit varieties.
How to Eat Loquats? How to Use Loquats in Recipes?
When you’re eating a loquat, there are some things to keep in mind.
Always take the outer peel off first and use your teeth or nails to break through it.
Then gently slice into the fruit with a knife so that all of its juices can come out without being spilled when biting down on the juicy flesh inside.
There is no right way to eat them but make sure not too much juice escapes.
Tasty, ripe loquats can be eaten on their own or paired with breakfast foods for an extra sweet treat-try slice of fruit served over a bowl of ice cream or cereal.
They can be eaten out of hand or used for many different dishes like salads and desserts.
For a delicious recipe, try mixing some fresh pieces of breadfruit or banana with chopped loquat and a little butter.
Loquat vs
Kumquat.
Loquat and Kumquat come from an ancient lineage of citrus fruit that originated in China but spread throughout Asia through trade routes.
In the United States, we mostly see Kumquat in grocery stores, and loquat is more likely to be found at Asian markets.
The two are similar but have a few key differences that make them each worthy of their own space on your kitchen counter.
Loquats: They look like small-medium-sized wide oranges with greenish skins, and they can grow up to one pound or half the size of an orange if left unpicked.
The fruit is sweet when it’s ripe, which means you want to pick loquats while still firm so they will ripen correctly off the tree (or later in a chilly, dry location).
They are mainly used to make jellies and jams but can be eaten fresh.
Kumquats: They look like tiny oranges with bright yellow-orange skin, and they grow up to one inch long.
The fruit is tart when it’s unripe and sweet when it’s ripe.
Kumquats are used to make marmalades and jam, as well as eaten fresh.
Loquat has a sweet flavor in flavor when ripe, and a kumquat has a tart, acidic taste.
Where to Buy Loquats?
In regions where they grow wild, loquat trees can be found along roadsides or at the edge of rice paddies near water sources such as streams or ponds.
Loquats can also be purchased in grocery stores, farmer’s markets, or Asian food shops.
Some individuals also propagate loquat trees as a hobby for their home garden.
Loquats are available in supermarkets and at many produce stands during their season.
The best time to buy loquats is during the late spring and summer months when they are in season – March through June.
Conclusion
In conclusion, loquats are a type of fruit indigenous to China but are also grown in other parts of the world.
They have a sweet and sour flavor, similar to that of apricot or peach, with undertones of strawberry.
The skin is yellow-orange, and the flesh can be either white or red, depending on what variety you’re eating.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, give it a try.
What Do Loquats Taste Like? Do Loquats Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Loquats
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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