What is Contradictory?

Other names: Quat, almond, kumquat...

Science name:

• Citrus microcarpa(Hassk) Bunge.
• Citrus japonica.
• Fortunella japonica.

Scientific family: Belongs to the orange family ( Rutaceae ).

Parts Used: Fruit, leaves, pods.

Growth and collection characteristics

Growth characteristics

Many documents record, the origin of the tree is from Japan, China. Today, elm trees are imported all over the world for ornamental purposes, cooking ingredients, or medicinal herbs.

The plant adapts to many types of soil such as sandy soil, loamy soil... well-drained, rich in humus. The suitable temperature for growth in the weather is from 23-29 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is lower than 12 degrees Celsius or higher than 40 degrees Celsius, the plant can reduce yield, wither, or even stop growing.

The plant is moisture-loving, but does not tolerate waterlogging. Because plant roots belong to the type of fungal roots, sucking nutrients through the symbiotic fungal system. Therefore, if flooded, the soil lacks oxygen and is prone to root rot, leading to young fruit and tree death. On the other hand, in the dry period, appropriate irrigation should be added to avoid affecting the quality of the finished product.

This plant does not like direct light, if it is too high, the tree will lose water, melasma, and poor growth. Pollination is self-pollination or by insects.

Harvest

Plants are harvested on average twice a month, all year round. The most fruitful time is from December to March of the following year.

The color of the fruit when ripe depends on the cultivar and temperature. When the temperature is too high, the fruit will ripen quickly, fall, and the color will not be beautiful. Or in the south, the temperature range between night and day is not much, so the ripe skin is usually green.

Description of the whole tree

Belongs to a small tree, luxuriant branches, can be up to 5m high. The root part has vertical roots that grow perpendicularly and deeply into the ground, helping the plant stand firm, absorbing water and nutrients in the deep soil. In addition, the tree also has many young roots, parallel to the ground, the function of absorbing water and nutrients in the shallower soil layer.

Leaves simple, alternate, dark green. The leaf blade is oval or round, with a thick, hard petiole. In addition, the leaves contain essential oil sacs. Kumquat flowers are bisexual, white, growing in clusters in the interstitial leaves or at the top. Wings average 8mm long, stamens 16-20, faintly fragrant.

The fruit is quite small, globose. The peel has many pockets of essential oil, green when young and turns yellow when ripe. When enjoyed, it has a characteristic mild sour taste. The inside of the kumquat has 5-6 segments and many green seeds about 5-10 seeds.

Preserve

After picking from the tree, it should be washed and stored in a cool, dry place. For longer shelf life, store in an airtight bag in the refrigerator.

Nutritional value of octopus

According to many documents, the octopus tree has a quite diverse and rich chemical composition:

100g of kumquat contains:

• Energy 26kcal, water 89g, protein 0.9g, fiber 4.1g, pectin 10%...
• Abundant minerals such as calcium 124mg, iron 0.3mg, phosphorus 42mg, magnesium, copper ...
• Along with antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C 43mg, vitamin B1 0.1mg, vitamin PP 0.2mg, beta-carotene 100µg...
• In addition, fruit extracts with sugar, organic acids, fortunelin, essential oils...

Seed part : Fatty oil 25.5%, pectin 8.66%…

Shell:  Fragrant, spicy essential oil like a-pinene 0.4%; b-pinene 2.7%; sabinene 2.8%; limonene 8.4%; b-ocimen 0.3%; linalol 1.55…

The effect of octopus

Anti-oxidant, increase resistance, prevent aging

In the fruit , the content of antioxidants such as vitamins, minerals, etc. is very diverse and abundant. In particular, especially vitamin C 43mg / 100g fruit has made an important contribution to the creation of collagen , connective tissue and increased skin elasticity. Moreover, this ingredient also creates a protective barrier of the body, increases resistance to adverse external factors, maintains healthy skin.

Protect stomach lining, prevent constipation, suitable for dieters, lose weight

The fiber in this food is quite high, about 4g/100g fruit. This is considered a valuable source of fiber, capable of protecting the stomach lining from the bad effects of acid, or bad free radicals. As a result, the digestive system also works more optimally, preventing constipation, reducing bloating, indigestion , as well as nourishing beneficial bacteria for the intestines. Besides, food increases satiety, reduces appetite, purifies and prevents the formation of harmful fats for the body thanks to this abundant amount of fiber.

Good for eyes and eyesight

Thanks to the abundant beta-carotene content of 100 µg / 100g of fruit, the food helps to slow down the process of macular degeneration, cataracts , as well as reduce vision for the elderly. In addition, the absorption of antioxidant nutrients contained in kumquats will prevent eye damage caused by oxidation.

Relax, relieve stress

Almost every part of the kumquat tree contains essential oils. With a characteristic mild fragrance, it helps us relax, reduce stress ... after daily fatigue. Can use octopus peel mixed with warm salt water and then soak hands and feet or can use essential oil extracted from this fruit, which will help sedation, relieve anxiety and depression effectively.

Relieve sore throat, soothe cough

Thanks to the essential oil, kumquat has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and phlegm-thinning properties that effectively relieve sore throat and cough. For example, "concoction of alum sugar", a simple folk remedy with great effects, helps to soothe a cough or an uncomfortable sore throat.

Effects of Traditional Medicine

Taste:

• The fruit is sour, sweet, and warm.
• The peel has a bitter, spicy, warm taste.
• Leaves bitter taste, soldering properties.
• Seeds sour and spicy, average.

Sutras:

• Fruit: Sutra, Taste
• Fruit peel: Kinh Vi, Waste.
• Leaves: Sutra Can, Pi, Waste.
• Beads: Kinh Can, Waste

Usage :

• Fruits: Treat spleen, dilute phlegm, cure cough, prevent drunkenness, eliminate bad smell, treat chest and ribs full of pain, quench thirst, cure vomiting, aid digestion...
• Peel: Cure cough, reduce phlegm, stimulate digestion...
• Leaves: Stimulate digestion, ventilation, anti-vomiting, reduce hiccups, cure colds...
• Seeds: Anti-vomiting, hemostasis, cough relief, sore throat ...

How to use the reverse

The fruit is used in a variety of cuisines in many countries. Can be used fresh, beverage, seasoning, dipping sauce, salted, syrup, jam, tea, essential oil... Besides, people also use kumquats as indoor ornamental, even bonsai. Especially on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, people also display this plant, with the wish of luck, affluence, wealth, warmth...

Some notes when using

Because there are many organic acids, which can easily irritate the gastric mucosa, we should not use kumquats on an empty stomach.

It is recommended to drink beverages containing occlusion about 30 minutes after eating, to avoid hindering the absorption of the stomach.

In addition, those who are allergic or sensitive to any active ingredient in the Orange family in general and in particular should not use it.

Some remedies from the fruit

Cough, sore throat, thin phlegm

Switches left fresh 3 left, washed, halved, bringing steamed with rock sugar. After steaming, it can be sucked, eaten, or drunk to relieve symptoms.

Cure colds

30g kumquat leaves, sharp 3 cups to 1 cup, add a little sugar, drink hot to reduce symptoms.

Treat vomiting, choking

Squid peel, fresh ginger 9g each, excellent drink every day.

Or dried kumquat peel 20g, ground into powder, then decoction with hot drink.

Treat vomiting, reduce belching, clear heat

12g octopus peel, 5 big apples, 12g ginseng party, 4g licorice, 12g bamboo, 12g born Khuong. Bring all the colors to drink 1 month a day, divided into 3 times to drink. (Tac dermatology, Nhu Thang - Kim Quy weak comb)

Treat urinary frequency, drop by drop

Root occlusion 30g, sugar alum 15g, excellent drink 2 times/day, about 1 week.

For many people, the kumquat tree (kumquat) is a symbol of affluence, wealth and achievements all year round. Not only that, this is also an indispensable cooking ingredient in many cuisines and also has an effective treatment effect. Indeed, we are very fortunate to have been given such a precious gift by nature.