Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we explore the wonderful world of citrus fruits and how to use them in your cooking. Today, we are going to talk about limequats, a hybrid fruit that combines the flavor and aroma of key limes with the cold hardiness and edible peel of kumquats. If you are looking for some limequat recipes to try at home, you have come to the right place!
Limequats are small, oval, greenish-yellow fruits that have a sweet-tasting skin and a bitter-sweet pulp. They are rich in vitamin C and folic acid, and have a tangy taste that can enhance many dishes and drinks. Limequats can be eaten whole, juiced, candied, preserved, or used as a substitute for limes in any recipe. In this article, we will show you some of the best limequat recipes that you can make with this versatile fruit.
Limequat Desserts
One of the most popular ways to use limequats is to make desserts. The sweet and sour flavor of limequats pairs well with creamy, buttery, or chocolatey ingredients, creating a delicious contrast that will delight your taste buds. Here are some of the limequat desserts that you can try:
Limequat Pie
If you love key lime pie, you will love this limequat version. It is very easy to make and has a creamy filling with a crunchy crust. You can use fresh or canned limequat juice for this recipe, or squeeze your own from fresh limequats. To make this pie, you will need:
- 1 9-inch graham cracker crust
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup of limequat juice
- 2 teaspoons of limequat zest
- Whipped cream for topping (optional)
To make the filling, whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Add the condensed milk, limequat juice, and zest, and whisk until well combined. Pour the filling into the crust and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 minutes or until set. Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Limequat Bars
Limequat bars are another great way to use limequats in desserts. They are similar to lemon bars, but with a more intense citrus flavor. They have a buttery shortbread base and a tangy limequat topping that is dusted with powdered sugar. To make these bars, you will need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 3/4 cup of unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of limequat juice
- 2 tablespoons of limequat zest
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
To make the crust, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking pan that has been greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
To make the topping, whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until well beaten. Add the granulated sugar, flour, limequat juice, and zest, and whisk until smooth. Pour the topping over the hot crust and bake for another 20 minutes or until set. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Limequat Cake
Limequat cake is a moist and fluffy cake that has a refreshing citrus flavor. It is made with yogurt, oil, and limequat juice and zest, which give it a tender crumb and a bright taste. You can drizzle it with a simple limequat glaze or serve it plain with some whipped cream or ice cream. To make this cake, you will need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup of limequat juice
- 2 tablespoons of limequat zest
- For the glaze (optional):
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of limequat juice
To make the cake, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the yogurt, sugar, eggs, oil, limequat juice, and zest until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into a 9×5-inch loaf pan that has been greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool slightly in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
To make the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar and limequat juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the warm cake and let it set before slicing and serving.
Limequat Drinks
Limequats are also great for making drinks, especially cocktails. The sour and sweet flavor of limequats adds a refreshing twist to any beverage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Here are some of the limequat drinks that you can try:
Limequat Margarita
A limequat margarita is a classic cocktail that is made with tequila, orange liqueur, and limequat juice. It is served in a salt-rimmed glass with ice and garnished with a limequat slice. To make this drink, you will need:
- 1/4 cup of limequat juice (about 6-8 limequats)
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 1 ounce of orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- Ice cubes
- Kosher salt for rimming the glass
- Limequat slices for garnish
To make the drink, pour some salt onto a small plate. Rub the rim of a margarita glass with a limequat slice and dip it into the salt to coat. Fill the glass with ice cubes and set aside. In a cocktail shaker, combine the limequat juice, tequila, and orange liqueur with some ice cubes and shake well. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a limequat slice.
Limequat Lemonade
Limequat lemonade is a refreshing drink that is made with lemon juice, limequat juice, sugar, and water. It is perfect for hot summer days or any time you need a thirst-quencher. To make this drink, you will need:
- 4 cups of water
- 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
- 1/4 cup of limequat juice (about 6-8 limequats)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon and limequat slices for garnish
To make the drink, bring 1 cup of water and the sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. This is your simple syrup. In a large pitcher, combine the remaining 3 cups of water, lemon juice, and limequat juice. Stir in the simple syrup and adjust the sweetness to your liking. Refrigerate until chilled or serve over ice cubes. Garnish with lemon and limequat slices.
Limequat Tea
Limequat tea is a soothing drink that is made with black tea, honey, and limequat slices. It is great for cold winter days or when you have a sore throat. To make this drink, you will need:
- 4 cups of water
- 4 black tea bags (such as English Breakfast or Earl Grey)
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 8-10 limequat slices
To make the drink, bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Let them steep for 5 minutes or according to your preference. Discard the tea bags and stir in the honey until dissolved. Pour thetea into a large teapot or a heatproof pitcher and add the limequat slices. Serve hot or cold.
Limequat Table
To help you get a better idea of how limequats compare to other citrus fruits, we have prepared a table that shows some of their characteristics and nutritional values. You can use this table as a reference when choosing or using limequats in your recipes.
| Fruit | Size | Color | Taste | Vitamin C (per 100 g) | Calories (per 100 g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limequat | Small (2-4 cm) | Greenish-yellow | Sweet-sour, bitter-sweet | 63 mg | 71 kcal |
| Lime | Small (3-6 cm) | Green or yellow | Sour, acidic | 29 mg | 30 kcal |
| Kumquat | Small (2-5 cm) | Orange or yellow | Sweet, tart | 43 mg | 71 kcal |
| Lemon | Medium (5-9 cm) | Yellow or green | Sour, acidic | 53 mg | 29 kcal |
| Orange | Large (6-10 cm) | Orange or yellow | Sweet, juicy | 53 mg | 47 kcal |
Limequat FAQ
What are limequats?
Limequats are a hybrid fruit that are a cross between key limes and kumquats. They were first created in 1909 by Walter Tennyson Swingle, an American botanist and citrus expert. Limequats are part of the Rutaceae family, which includes other citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and mandarins.
Where do limequats grow?
Limequats are native to Southeast Asia, where they grow in tropical and subtropical climates. They are also cultivated in other parts of the world, such as Florida, California, Texas, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Israel, and Australia. Limequats can grow in containers or in the ground, as long as they have enough sunlight, water, and drainage. They are more cold tolerant than limes, but less than kumquats.
When are limequats in season?
Limequats are usually in season from late fall to early spring, depending on the region and the variety. The most common varieties of limequats are Eustis, Lakeland, and Tavares. Eustis limequats are the smallest and the most sour of the three. Lakeland limequats are slightly larger and sweeter than Eustis. Tavares limequats are the largest and the sweetest of the three.
How to choose and store limequats?
To choose fresh limequats, look for fruits that are firm, smooth, and bright in color. Avoid fruits that are soft, wrinkled, or have brown spots. Limequats can be stored at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze whole or sliced limequats for up to six months.
How to eat limequats?
Limequats can be eaten whole, with or without the peel. The peel is edible and has a sweet flavor, while the pulp is juicy and sour. You can also cut them in half and squeeze out the juice, or slice them and add them to salads, desserts, drinks, or sauces. Limequats can be used as a substitute for limes in any recipe that calls for them.
How to make limequat juice?
To make limequat juice, you will need about 6-8 limequats for 1/4 cup of juice. You can use a citrus juicer or a manual juicer to extract the juice from the fruits. Alternatively, you can cut them in half and squeeze them by hand over a strainer to catch the seeds and pulp. You can use the juice immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How to make limequat preserves?
To make limequat preserves, you will need about 2 pounds of limequats, 4 cups of water, and 4 cups of sugar. You can also add some spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, or ginger, for extra flavor. To make the preserves, follow these steps:
- Wash and dry the limequats. Cut off the ends and slice them thinly, removing any seeds.
- In a large pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the limequat slices and any spices you like. Reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick and syrupy.
- Ladle the hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims and seal the jars with lids and bands.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove from the water and let them cool completely.
- Store the preserves in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Refrigerate after opening.
How to make limequat candy?
To make limequat candy, you will need about 1 pound of limequats, 2 cups of water, and 2 cups of sugar. You can also add some food coloring or flavoring if you like. To make the candy, follow these steps:
- Wash and dry the limequats. Cut off the ends and slice them thinly, removing any seeds.
- In a large pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the limequat slices and any food coloring or flavoring you like. Reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until the limequats are translucent and soft.
- Drain the limequats and reserve the syrup for another use. Spread the limequats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Let them dry in a warm oven (about 200°F) for 2-3 hours or until they are sticky but not wet.
- Toss the limequats with some granulated sugar to coat them. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month.
What are some health benefits of limequats?
Limequats are good for your health as they are rich in vitamin C and folic acid. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps boost your immune system, protect your cells from damage, and promote wound healing. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make new cells, prevent birth defects, and lower your risk of anemia. Limequats also contain dietary fiber, which helps improve your digestion, lower your cholesterol, and regulate your blood sugar levels.
What are some possible side effects of limequats?
Limequats are generally safe to eat, but they may cause some side effects in some people. Some of these side effects are:
- Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to limequats or other citrus fruits, which can cause symptoms such as itching, swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing. If you have a citrus allergy, avoid eating limequats or consult your doctor before trying them.
- Acid reflux: Limequats are acidic fruits that can trigger or worsen acid reflux or heartburn in some people. If you have acid reflux or a sensitive stomach, limit your intake of limequats or eat them with other foods that can neutralize their acidity.
- Photosensitivity: Limequats contain compounds called psoralens that can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This can cause sunburns or rashes if you are exposed to UV rays after eating limequats. To prevent this, wear sunscreen and protective clothing when going outside after eating limequats.
Conclusion
Limequats are a delicious and versatile fruit that can be used in many ways in your kitchen. You can eat them whole, juice them, preserve them, candy them, or use them in desserts, drinks, sauces, salads, and more. Limequats are also good for your health as they are rich in vitamin C and folic acid. However, they may also cause some side effects in some people, such as allergic reactions, acid reflux, or photosensitivity. Therefore, be careful when eating limequats and enjoy them in moderation.
We hope you enjoyed this article about limequat recipes and learned how to use this citrus hybrid in your kitchen. If you liked this article, please share it with your friends and family. You can also check out our other articles on citrus fruits and how to use them in your cooking. Thank you for reading and have a great day! 😊