Post by artisans on Sept 29, 2008 8:41:27 GMT 2
By way of starting the process of rebuilding the Roda archive, here is a piece that we published about that most typical of local products - the kumquat.
Kumquats are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs or small trees with dense branches, sometimes bearing small thorns. The leaves are dark glossy green, and the flowers pure white, similar to other citrus flowers.
The kumquat (KOYM KOYAT in Greek) has been cultivated in China & Japan for centuries and in Cantonese means ‘little orange’. It was first introduced into Europe in 1846 by horticulturist Robert Fortune, who spent two decades in the far east collecting plants for the Royal Horticultural Society. It was originally classified as a citrus fruit since it is closely related, but it does have botanical differences. Having found its way to Corfu, it soon became firmly established and is mainly grown in the area around Nymfes, just south of Roda.
The fruits are oval in shape and the rind is very thin & sweet and can be eaten. By contrast, the flesh is quite tart and is used to add a sharp edge to salads, cakes and tarts. In addition, kumquats make great stuffings and sauces for rich meats like goose, pork or duck and they can be caramelised as an accompaniment. They excel of course, as marmalades, jellies and pickles and, cooked with ginger, they make a wonderful sauce for ice cream.
Like all brightly coloured fruits, kumquats are rich in vitamin ‘A’ which is essential for the development of strong teeth & bones. As might be expected, they also contain vitamin ‘C’ and a good amount of potassium and other minerals.
Available across the island, kumquat is now a famous Corfiot liqueur. The standard drink is bright orange, the colour being from the rind and it is quite sweet. There is also a colourless distillation of kumquat juice which is far more potent and adventurous. All manner of other drinks, candies and sweets are produced using kumquats.
For those who make their own fruit liqueurs, kumquat is a real treat when steeped in vodka and sugar for a few months, the sliced fruits left over making a very special cheesecake topping – for adults only! Kumquats from China can often be found in supermarkets in other parts of Europe and the liqueurs, candied sweets, jams and whole host of other derivatives can be bought in Roda.
Kumquats are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs or small trees with dense branches, sometimes bearing small thorns. The leaves are dark glossy green, and the flowers pure white, similar to other citrus flowers.
The kumquat (KOYM KOYAT in Greek) has been cultivated in China & Japan for centuries and in Cantonese means ‘little orange’. It was first introduced into Europe in 1846 by horticulturist Robert Fortune, who spent two decades in the far east collecting plants for the Royal Horticultural Society. It was originally classified as a citrus fruit since it is closely related, but it does have botanical differences. Having found its way to Corfu, it soon became firmly established and is mainly grown in the area around Nymfes, just south of Roda.
The fruits are oval in shape and the rind is very thin & sweet and can be eaten. By contrast, the flesh is quite tart and is used to add a sharp edge to salads, cakes and tarts. In addition, kumquats make great stuffings and sauces for rich meats like goose, pork or duck and they can be caramelised as an accompaniment. They excel of course, as marmalades, jellies and pickles and, cooked with ginger, they make a wonderful sauce for ice cream.
Like all brightly coloured fruits, kumquats are rich in vitamin ‘A’ which is essential for the development of strong teeth & bones. As might be expected, they also contain vitamin ‘C’ and a good amount of potassium and other minerals.
Available across the island, kumquat is now a famous Corfiot liqueur. The standard drink is bright orange, the colour being from the rind and it is quite sweet. There is also a colourless distillation of kumquat juice which is far more potent and adventurous. All manner of other drinks, candies and sweets are produced using kumquats.
For those who make their own fruit liqueurs, kumquat is a real treat when steeped in vodka and sugar for a few months, the sliced fruits left over making a very special cheesecake topping – for adults only! Kumquats from China can often be found in supermarkets in other parts of Europe and the liqueurs, candied sweets, jams and whole host of other derivatives can be bought in Roda.