Meiwa Kumquat

Meiwa Kumquot, also known as the Sweet Kumquat, is prized as one of the very best kumquats for fresh eating. Its round to slightly oblong orange fruit has a smooth, thick rind that is exceptionally sweet, surrounding pleasantly tangy, juicy flesh. The entire fruit can be eaten whole—skin and all—giving it a delicious sweet-tart flavour. Meiwa is sweeter than many commercially grown kumquats and is excellent eaten straight from the tree or used for marmalade, candied fruit, desserts and preserves.

Widely grown in China and Japan, Meiwa is traditionally considered a hybrid of the Nagami and Marumi kumquats. The attractive evergreen tree has a naturally compact growth habit, fragrant white flowers and abundant crops of bright orange fruit, making it both ornamental and productive. Its compact size also makes Meiwa particularly well suited to containers and smaller gardens.

Kumquats are among the most cold-tolerant citrus, and established, mature Meiwa trees can tolerate brief temperatures to approximately -10°C under favourable conditions. In colder climates, however, plants should be grown in containers and moved to a cool, protected location for winter, or grown in a greenhouse that can be heated when needed.

Common names: Meiwa Kumquat, Sweet Kumquat, Ninpo/Neiha kinkan

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: Winter to late winter

Scientific name: Citrus japonica (syn. Fortunella crassifolia)
Light requirements: Full sun 
Full-grown size: 6-10' tall x 5-8' wide
Hardiness: Zone 8b
Pollination: Self-fertile
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators. 
Origin: China
Noteworthy: Prized as one of the very best kumquats for fresh eating.