All pictures here are from one tree.

My Tavares Limequat

By joereal at 2007-12-05

Tavares Limequats, Almost Ready, Can you kindly pass me a bottle of corona Laaz, Pleeeeaaase...?


By joereal at 2007-12-05

Indio Mandarinquats


By joereal at 2007-12-05

The Indio Mandarinquats are bigger this year.


By joereal at 2007-12-05

And they tend to be available year round almost now. See the other green young fruits?


By joereal at 2007-12-05

For comparison, here's my regular nagami kumquats


By joereal at 2007-12-05

I pulled one branch over for comparison between Nagami and Indio


By joereal at 2007-12-05

And side by side, no doubt one is a giant. And by definition, techically, the Indio Mandarinquat is considered a mandarin, a group of citruses that are bigger than a kumquat but smaller than an orange. But the rinds of Indio Mandarinquat are light years more palatable than any mandarin in my yard. So I'll stick with the older definition that it is indeed a kumquat, a giant one, that is.


By joereal at 2007-12-05

On this same tree, I also have variegated calamondin, regular calamondin, marumi kumquat, sunquat, Fukushu Kumquat, nordman seedless nagami, Centennial Variegated Kumquat. Photos are not good as most are in the understory and don't have good lighting. But will post them one of these days.

Outstanding pictures Joe. And what do you do with the fruit?
I am not familiar eating those.

Eat them whole, just spit out the seeds. I amuse my guests with these fruits, it bewilders them that the rinds are the main dish rather than the fruit flesh.

The Limequats should be good substitute for Key Limes, except that, you can eat the rinds too, after drinking the beer, and it should help freshen your breath.

I grafted a limequat on my Miewa this summer and it produced 5 fruits on the 6-8 inch limb-- we have already used 3 of them in Coronas! I didn't know you could eat their skins-- thanks for that useful tidbit!

Here's what I do with the Indio Mandarinquat during early summer. I would cut them in half across the equator or cutting all sectors, squeeze and strain to remove the seeds. Then pour the juice and the rinds unto a blender, place some ice, sprite and a few tbsp of frozen pineapple juice concentrate, top with cool water, and then blend away for at least 4 minutes. The resulting juice is very zesty and refreshing summer drink. If I am not sharing this with the kids, I would place 1/2 cup vodka or gin before blending away.

Looks like it's time to make some "Frankenquat" wine...

Joe,
I'd like to know you thoughts on difference between Indio Manderinquat and Meiwa Kumquat flavor? I have had both trees but only have had fruit from the Meiwa. My Mandrinquat did not fruit before I lost it.. Not sure if I'd rather replace manderinquat or meiwa.. I think I'd like to make a frankinquat type tree eventually.. but my T. Limequat is not large enough yet to be a good host..
I do know I like the flavor of nagami and meiwas..
I liked the idea of the larger fruit of the Manderinquat and that was my reason for choosing it before.. love the "neck" on the fruit as well..
would be nice to know how the flavor would compare to nagami and Meiwas..
Very nice pics!! My mouth is watering!! you have some beautiful fruit!!

Gina *BabyBlue*