Loquat Delivery or Pickup

Loquat, also known as Chinese plum or Japanese plum, is an Asian fruit that has been cultivated for many years. The fruit began to be cultivated in Spain and other regions in the Mediterranean in the 19th century. The loquat tree grows wherever citrus trees do, making the warm coastal areas of the Mediterranean a perfect fit.

There are several varieties of loquat. The two most common varies are the Tanaka and the Argelino. The Tanaka bears later and is more tart, making it suitable for use in cooking and pies. The Argelino bears earlier and has a sweet taste, making it suitable for eating fresh. Loquats are in season from April to June. They are harvested when ripe instead of picking them while immature, as they don't ripen off the tree.

As with other fruits, loquat can be eaten raw. Its skin is often eaten as well. However, keep in mind that there are seeds in the middle (similar to an apricot), which contain cyanide compounds and must be removed before using the fruit in cooking.

Loquat can be used like peaches and apples in jams, pies, tarts, and other culinary uses. It can be cut and used in a fruit salad. Because loquat contains lots of pectins, it can be easily used to make loquat syrup, which is used as a cough remedy. It has even been commercialized and sold as honey loquat syrup.

The high pectin content of Loquat is an excellent source of insoluble dietary fiber, which can be beneficial to your blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory system, cholesterol, and immune health. The fruit is also an excellent source of vitamin A, providing about 51% of the recommended daily allowance per 100 grams. Loquat has smaller amounts of other minerals, B vitamins, and potassium.

When selecting fresh loquats, look for fruits with no touch of green whatsoever. Loquats vary in size from one to two inches long. Fresh ripe loquats are soft and golden yellow with downy skin, similar to an apricot. Beware of loquats that are mushy or bruised. The flesh of the fruit must yield to gentle pressure when held in the palm of your hand. Freckling is natural.

You can order loquats through Instacart. Instacart makes it easy to order from your favorite local grocery store. Shop for loquat from stores near you, with a selection of over 500 local grocers and retailers across North America. Instacart will then connect you with a personal shopper in your local area who will shop and deliver your order. You can track the status of your order and communicate with your Instacart shopper every step of the way using the website or app!

Loquats turn brown easily and spoil if not consumed while fresh. Drying loquat can help preserve the fruit and prolong its useful life. You can dry loquat using a food dehydrator. Wash the fruit thoroughly and dry it. Make sure to remove the pits. Then, slice it thinly and line the slices on the dehydrator trays, allowing at least one-inch space between slices. Set the dehydrator at low and allow the fruit to dry for six to eight hours. Check for the desired dryness after six hours. If the fruit is still squishy or moist, let it dry some more.

You can also dry loquats in the sun. Loquat's high sugar and acid contents make the fruit safe to dry in the open. When sun-drying loquats, it's best to do it on a hot, dry, breezy day at a temperature of about 86 degrees Fahrenheit.