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Limequat Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to limequat products
About limequat
Developed in 1909 at a U.S. Department of Agriculture research station in Florida by Walter Swingle, the limequat is a hybrid of a key lime and a kumquat. After two devastating freezes in the late 1800s destroyed much of Florida's citrus groves, he sought to create a citrus fruit that could withstand colder temperatures. He hand-pollinated the key lime flowers to the pollen of kumquat blooms. Key lime is one of the most cold-sensitive citrus fruits, but the kumquat is one of the most cold-tolerant. His goal was to create a hardy lime-type fruit.
He introduced the limequat to the market in 1913. Since then, the fruit has found a home in Florida, where it is most commonly made into limequat pie, although you will find limequats grown in several tropical countries. This delicious and fragrant fruit can withstand colder temperatures and has an edible peel. It's about 1 to 2 inches in diameter, making it convenient to use in salads.
When sliced open, the limequat has a soft and succulent flesh that contains a few seeds. It's divided into seven or eight sections by thin, white membranes. A limequat's taste is similar to that of lime but has a slightly bitter flavor when eaten raw.
How to tell if a limequat is ripe
Limequats are available year-round, but they're in season from mid-fall through March. Select limequats that are firm, fragrant, and heavy for their size. Their color can range from bright yellow to green, depending on the variety and when it was harvested. Usually, you'll find green limequats that turn yellow when they ripen. Avoid ones that have pebbly brown or black skin as this could signal decay.
Varieties of limequats
When shopping for limequats, keep in mind that there are three different cultivars available. All three received their names from cities in Florida:
- Eustis: This key lime is crossed with a round kumquat and is the most common type of limequat.
- Lakeland: Another key lime crossed with a round kumquat, this variety has a different seed than the same hybrid parent found with the Eustis. The fruit is a little larger and has fewer seeds compared to the Eustis.
- Tavares: This limequat is a key lime crossed with an oval kumquat, although there are some rumblings that it's actually a cross between a lemon and kumquat. This fruit is larger, more elongated, and more orange compared to the other varieties.
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FAQs about limequats
You can keep limequats on the counter, where they will keep for a few days while stored at room temperature. If you want them to last a little longer, place them in a sealed container or bag in the refrigerator, where they will keep for several weeks to one month. Either way, keep the limequats away from other ethylene-producing fruits as this will speed up the ripening process.
Limequats are best suited for raw and cooked applications. You can consume them whole, including the skin. Slice and add them raw to salads or use them as an edible garnish for your main dish. If you're planning to cook the fruit, you should consider removing the seeds, as they usually have a bitter flavor. Use them as a substitute for lemons or limes in desserts, or cook them down to create marmalade, jelly, and jam.
Another popular way to prepare limequats is to candy them. Make four small slashes lengthwise to each limequat. Use a toothpick to remove the seeds. Bring one cup of water and two cups of sugar to boil. Place the four cups of limequats in the pot, and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. Drain the limequats, and return the syrup to the pot. Simmer for five minutes to reduce the syrup.
Limequats are a low-calorie fruit that has several important health benefits when you add them to your diet. Some of the benefits include the following:
- Calcium: Limequats are filled with calcium, which helps to strengthen the bones and lowers the risk of osteoporosis.
- Citric Acid: Limequats contain citric acid, which helps to prevent kidney stones from forming.
- Potassium: This helps keep your heart in excellent shape by lowering your blood pressure.
- Vitamin C: Like limes and kumquats, limequats have an abundance of vitamin C, which helps keep your immune system working properly. This vitamin also encourages the production of collagen to make your skin firm. Limequats have more than 33% of your recommended daily intake of this vitamin.