Kumquat tree - plant for Tet and its interesting facts

At Lunar New Year, most Vietnamese families buy a kumquat tree - a symbol of prosperity. However, did you know, inside this small fruit, there are a lot of interesting facts.

Hannah Nguyen

ngminhphuong26@gmail.com February 12, 2021 | 06:30

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Kumquat tree plant for Tet and its interesting facts

Similar to pine tree for Christmas holiday in the West, Vietnamese people also use many kinds of flowers and plants to decorate their house in this special period, including peach blossoms, kumquat, apricot blossoms, among others.

Favoured Plant For Tet Decoration

During the Lunar New Year festival, or Tet, many Vietnamese families customarily buy fruit-laden kumquat trees, a symbol of prosperity and a pleasing sight, to put around their homes.

The fruits are also candied and enjoyed as a delicacy. Kumquat, known in Vietnamese as “quat” or “tac”.

If you’re a big fan of citrus fruits, or sweet yet tart foods in general, then you will certainly love kumquats. Due to the sweet flavor, kumquat is widely used in making food and beverage, including cocktails, jams, jellies, candies, and desserts.

A part from Hanoi, kumquat tree growers in many provinces and cities are also busy pruning the leaves and beautifying the trees. The work of nurturing the lush trees so that the fruits are ripe and flowering on the occasion of Tet holiday requires a lot of care.

With the creativity of gardeners, kumquats and peach trees in Tet holiday in more and more shapes are available, meeting the high and diverse demands of the people, bringing bright and radiant spring colours to everyone.

This year, Year of Buffalo, buffalo-shaped bonsai in a variety of designs are on offer to meet the needs of customers for Tet.

A golden buffalo symbolises the desire for health and prosperity. The buffalo is an inheritance, strong and hard-working, so it symbolises the desire to have health, fortune and prosperity in the new year. Source: NDO

Health Benefits

Kumquats are made up of a wide variety of essential oils, including limonene, alpha-pinene, monoterpenes, and many others. They also contain fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, beneficial fats, and vitamin A.

Therefore, As perse as the cuisines that can be made from Kumquat, the health benefits brought to you by this fruit can be found in multiple aspects.

Aid in Digestion

One of the major functions of kumquats is their role in regulating digestion. 8 kumquats are equivalent to 10 grams of fiber and eating a handful of kumquats isn’t a tough thing to do! This amount of fiber helps to keep your gastrointestinal tract moving and regulates your digestion. It can help to eliminate constipation, excess gas, bloating, and cramping and increase the efficiency of your nutrient uptake.

Control Diabetes

Apart from their beneficial effect on digestion, kumquats also play a role in preventingdiabetes. Dietary fiber can help to optimize insulin and glucose balance in the body, thereby preventing people from developing this incurable disease.

Boost Immunity

Kumquats impact the immune system in a number ways as they are rich in vitamin C, just like oranges! Vitamin C is a very important nutrient in our diet, primarily because it has an effect on everything in our body. It helps to stimulate the growth of new cells and boosts the immune system to protect your body from infections, bacteria, and fungi. Without vitamin C as our first line of defense, we would not only be unable to protect ourselves, but we also wouldn’t be able to heal.

Dried kumquat.

Skin Care

The combination of antioxidants and vitamins in kumquats make them ideal for protecting the skin from cancerous effects of the sun and negative effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkles, age spots, and rough, unhealthy skin. Kumquats, like many citrus fruits, can have a great effect on the appearance and feel of your skin.

Eye Care

Kumquats are a rich source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are closely connected to vision health. Beta-carotene works as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress in the macular cells, thereby limiting macular degeneration and reducing the development of cataracts.

Build Strong Bones

The significant calcium content in kumquats helps to protect your bones over a long term. High calcium levels in your body increase the rate of healing and ensure that your bones stay healthy and strong well into the old age.

Boost Energy

You wouldn’t expect kumquats to be so rich in carbohydrates, but they are. Carbohydrates are essential for replenishing our energy reserves in a simple way. Kumquats can provide that burst of energy in our diets, while also giving us all the other benefits too! The high level of riboflavin, a key vitamin involved in the production of energy, makes this process even easier.

Weight Loss

Kumquats are rich in fiber, water, and carbs, and are low in calories. Hence, are an ideal food for people trying to lose weight. They will fill you up and keep you healthy, which will reduce your urge to overeat.

Hair Care

Vitamin C, natural organic compounds, antioxidants, and minerals, present in kumquats, have a major effect on the quality, texture, and strength of your hair.

Locals believe having a kumquat tree inside their house brings good luck in the new year, as ‘quat’ – the plant’s name in Vietnamese – sounds similar to ‘cat,' which means ‘good deed’ or ‘success.'

Where Kumquat Is Grown

Kumquats are said to be native to the southeastern parts of China, although they can be found in North and South Korea, Southern Pakistan, Taiwan, Middle East, Japan, etc.

Tips When Buying

If you want to purchase and enjoy kumquats, make sure to do so during the winter, especially during November to June — kumquats are at their peak during this point. Make sure to always pick fruits that are small and firm, with a soft sheen and no discolorations. Ideally, their stems should still be attached. Refrain from buying kumquats that are unripe, green in color and have surface cuts, bruises or damage.

Store the fruits in a perforated bag in your refrigerator, where it can last for up to two weeks. You can also store kumquats in a room temperature area for around three to four days. When you’re ready to use kumquats, wash the fruit and gently pat dry using a soft cloth or tissue. Pull off the stem and chop or slice./.

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