Kumquats are a great addition to your pantry. They’re sweet, juicy, and delicious—but what does their shelf life look like? Can you freeze them? And how can you store them for maximum shelf life?
We’ll answer all these questions in this article! We will also share some tips on how to tell if kumquats have gone bad.
How long does kumquat last?
- Room temperature: 3 to 5 days or until ripe
- Refrigerator: 2 to 3 weeks
- Freezer: 10 to 12 months (best quality)
Fresh kumquats can be stored at room temperature for 3 to 5 days or until they start to ripen. If you are planning on storing them in your fridge, keep them there for 2 to 3 weeks. It’s best to store kumquats in the refrigerator if you’re planning on eating them soon because they don’t taste as good when they’re out of season.
Kumquats are best eaten when they’re still plump and juicy. So if you want to enjoy them at their best, you should buy them when they’re ripe. You can tell if kumquats are ripe by the color: yellowish-orange. If the fruit is greenish or blackish, it’s not ready to eat yet.
How long do kumquats last in the fridge?
Kumquats can be stored in the fridge the same way or wrapped loosely in a plastic bag for up to 2 to 3 weeks. To further prolong their shelf life, you can also freeze them.
Can I freeze whole kumquats?
Yes, you can freeze kumquat, and they freeze quite well. Most people will just freeze the fruits whole, with the skin and everything because of their small size. However, they can also be frozen with or without seeds, cut into slices, or diced.
If you’re thinking about freezing your kumquats for longer-term storage, we recommend keeping them whole or cut into slices (carefully removing seeds).
Place these in a saucepan with 550 g of sugar and 1 liter of water until all of the sugar dissolves—then bring to a boil and let cool completely before pouring over the kumquats.
Let the syrup cool before pouring it over the kumquats. Make sure your syrup is cold before adding any other ingredients so that everything mixes evenly.
Then place your frozen kumquats and syrup into an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze until ready for use!
What is the best way to store kumquats?
Kumquats will keep for a few days at room temperature. You can refrigerate them in a plastic bag for up to 3 weeks. Frozen kumquats can last up to a year.
Read: How to store kumquats
How long do kumquats last once picked?
Once you have harvested your kumquat, the fruit can be used immediately or stored at room temp for a couple of days or in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.
How do I know when my kumquats are ripe?
A good way to tell if your kumquats are ripe is by looking at their color. Kumquats that are yellow or orange will be ready to eat. If they’re greenish or blue-green, don’t eat them yet!
The skin should be nice and firm, free of blemishes or shriveled areas.
How do I know if kumquats are spoiled?
Here are some tips on how to tell if kumquats are spoiled, so you can avoid wasting good food and money.
- First, check the color of the fruit. A good kumquat should be orange in color, while a bad one will be brown in hue. When compared to fresh fruit, it will become squishy when handled.
- Next, take a whiff of the fruit: if it smells sour or rotten, toss it! The scent and appearance of the fruit are obvious signs that something is wrong with it—don’t risk your health eating it!
- Finally, taste it: if it has a sour taste, don’t eat too much of it—the inside texture may have become mushy due to microbial contamination.
