The Cumquat Confusion | Calamondin or Calamansi

Commonly in Australia we refer to the cheery bountiful citrus tree Calamondin as a cumquat. A voluptuous tree that smothers itself with small orange baubles in late winter, early spring. The fruit is juicy, sharp tasting and tangy, the rind is thin and for this reason it is rarely available in green grocers or markets as it does not transport well. This is the fruit that is handed by the bag full to passionate marmalade makers.

Calamondin is a popular citrus as it is beautifully ornamental, it performs well in pots they are often grown as standards, (lollypop shape) or clipped into stylish cones. 

In Australia calamondins ripen in the cooler months of the year, in the southern regions particularly, the fruit colours into a beautiful orange colour, the classic “cumquat” hue.

In the northern regions and tropical zones of Australia, calamondins do not receive this “winter chill” that stimulates the colour on the rind. They remain green, a yellowish green, they are ripe, juicy and tangy the flesh within has an orange colour. 

In the Phillipines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam the calamondin it is also grown widely and it is referred to as Calamansi.

It is a popular and highly prized citrus fruit that is served along side many traditional dishes, ready to be squeezed over fragrant spicy noodles and curries.

The Citrus is called - Citrus madurensis.

Calamondin or Calamansi.

The fruit looks a little different depending on your latitude, however  squeezed over a spicy soup, pickled, candied or eaten as marmalade in glistening spoonfuls, this the Calamondin/Calamansi is a glorious, bountiful citrus.