Kumquat is a citrus fruit that resembles an orange but in a small size. This fruit is edible and usually eaten whole. If you enjoy eating kumquat, you may have bought a packet or two from the store. Since these fruits tend to not last very long, you may wonder how long kumquat will last.
How Long Does Kumquat Last?
Unfortunately, this fruit does not last very long once it’s harvested. This is due to their thin skin peel which makes them more vulnerable than lemons or oranges.
At room temperature, kumquats will last for a few days after it is harvested. If the air temperature is hot, the fruit may not last only a day.
In the refrigerator, kumquats can last for up to 2 weeks. This is if it’s stored under ideal storage conditions of 38 to 46 F with about 90% humidity.
Can Kumquat Go Bad?
Kumquat is a citrus fruit that doesn’t last very long once it is harvested. This fruit can go bad quickly if it’s exposed to warm air temperature.
Once harvested, kumquat will need to be stored in a cool place.
How To Tell When Kumquat Is Bad?
When kumquat goes bad, they will usually have some signs to look for. Below are some of what you should look for when kumquat is bad:
Sign #1: Texture
When kumquat begins to go bad, they will start to become soft. Also, the rind will start to become brown. If you see any of these signs, the kumquat should be thrown away.
Sign #2: Smell
Bad kumquats will have a very sour smell. Once you cut the fruit, it will give off a bad smell. If it smells anything other than fresh, you should throw it away.
Sign #2: Taste
Once kumquat goes bad, it will have a very sour taste. Hopefully, you won’t need to taste it to see if it’s bad. Just the smell of it will be enough to turn your head away from it.
How To Store Kumquat
At room temperature, store the kumquat in a paper brown bag and keep them away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. If you’re not planning to eat them within a couple of days, you should store them in the fridge instead.
In the fridge, keep the kumquat in their original container. It will usually have holes in it to allow air to circulate in and out of it.
If you’ve picked them yourselves, you can store them in a paper bag with a couple of holes punched out. This will allow air to circulate in and out of the bag.
Can You Freeze Kumquat?
Yes, you can freeze kumquat, and they freeze quite well. Due to their small, most people will just freeze the entire fruit, with the skin and all.
The only thing though, kumquat will become mushy when it’s thawed. Fortunately, for this fruit, the texture is irrelevant as it is often cooked or puréed.
When freeing kumquat, you have 2 options. You can either freeze them whole with the seeds or without the seeds.
Freezing kumquat without the seeds will save you time when you thaw them. You can actually add them directly to the recipes from the freezer.
Simply cut the kumquat in halves, remove the seeds, and place them into an airtight container or freezer bag.
If you are planning to freeze kumquats with the seeds, they will last much longer in the freezer than without the seeds.
Clean the kumquats thoroughly and cover them with a thin syrup made with 3/4 of sugar and 4 cups of water. This will help the kumquat retain its texture and taste while preventing air from damaging it.
After coating the fruit, place them into an airtight container, seal it, and put it into the freezer. Kumquats using this method will remain in peak quality for up to 12 months.
3 Tips To Keep Kumquat Fresh Longer
Freshness
When kumquats are just harvested, that’s when they will be at their best quality. To keep them fresh, you’ll want to store them right away in the fridge. The cooler the temperature, the longer they will stay fresh.
Storage
Always keep kumquat away from direct sunlight and heat. If it’s stored at room temperature, place them into a paper brown bag. If it’s going to be longer than a couple of days, place the kumquat into the fridge.
Cool Temperature
Kumquat doesn’t do last very long when it’s exposed to air temperature. The cooler the temperature, the longer they will stay fresh. For storage up to 2 weeks, you can store the citrus fruit in the fridge. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the kumquat. Freezing kumquat will extend its shelf life for up to 12 months.
Related Questions
Can you freeze kumquat jam?
Yes, you can freeze kumquat jam. Since the jam contains a lot of sugar, it won’t freeze solid. Also, after thawing, you may find that the kumquats are mushy. Properly stored, kumquat jam will last for up to 1 year in the freezer.