The best thing about the robust, golden kumquat (other than its perfect complexion) is that you can eat the entire fruit, peel and all. But maybe only one or two (ok or three or four), because they’re bitter when fresh off the tree, and the oils in the peel make the tongue go numb after awhile.
These dried and candied kumquat slices change all that. Tree-ripened fruits are picked, seeded, and then brined in salt to remove bitter aromatics before getting a light coat of sugar. The peels and pulp are resplendent in color and taste of citrus and caramel, with the lightest note of woody balsam.
In Taiwan, they’re commonly served as a snack with tea, but we’ve even seen them chopped and rolled into dough for a tangyuan sticky rice dumpling. We eat them by the handful and you should too. Use them anywhere you’d want a dried citrus: granola, baked goods, or as a yogurt topping.
Kumquat is THE fruit of Lunar New Year. The harvest season coincides with the holiday, and its golden color and lucky-sounding name (a synonym with golden luck in some dialects) are symbolic of wealth and good fortune.
To mark the Year of the Snake we're happy to introduce this collection of kumquat products from Geli, a family-owned manufacturer that has specialized in cultivating and processing this citrus for four generations. No artificial preservatives, colorings, or ingredients are used in production.
How It's Made
To make the slices, farmers handpick golden kumquats at peak ripeness, then deseed and treat them with salt to remove their bitterness. Once treated, the kumquats are rinsed and shredded into thin slices, tossed in maltose (a less sweet sugar), then dried slowly using a low-heat technique that preserves as much of the fruit's natural flavors and aromas as possible.
Tasting Notes and Usage
orange blossom, caramel, balsam
Enjoy them on their own, and often. Serve with tea for maximum effect.
Or mix it in with yogurt, oatmeal, or salad for a tart and chewy topping. Add into seltzer for a hint of flavor and color. Chop and bake into bread, cookies, or cake.
Ingredients and Instructions
kumquat, sugar, maltose, kumquat juice
Sugar or salinity are used for preservation, with no artificial preservatives, flavorings, or colorings.
Net Weight: 100 g / 3.5 oz
Total Weight: 119 g / 4.2 oz
Package Dimensions: 9.25" L x 6" W x 1.5" H / 23.5 cm L x 15.2 cm W x 3.8 cm H
About Geli
Located in the township of Minxiong in Chiayi County, the family-owned manufacturer Geli 吉利 has a 60-year legacy of cultivating and processing kumquats, producing sauces, vinegars, and preserved fruit.
Founder Tsai Hai-Piao's discovery of kumquat was accidental—a snack consumed at a friend's place—but it left an impression, inspiring him to farm kumquats in Minxiong's favorable climate, while also teaching other farmers how to successfully build their orchards.
Since then, Geli has dedicated itself to making a name for Minxiong and its community through its kumquats. The company is now led by Peter, Tsai's great grand-son, who has modernized the brand and made Minxiong's kumquats available to a wider audience. Look for an illustration of his great grandfather on the packaging.
