3 Techniques for Making Whole Candied Kumquats Without Bitterness but Deliciously Chewy - Mytour

You can find many ways to make candied kumquats (quats), but if not done correctly, they can easily turn bitter and fail to absorb the sweetness of the sugar. To successfully prepare delicious and perfectly flavored candied kumquats and address these issues, you can modify based on the following recipe from Mytour. 

1. Introduction to Candied Kumquats (Quats)

Candied kumquats are a must-have snack for every gathering, meeting friends during Tet. The candied kumquats are chewy, fragrant, sweet, perfect to enjoy with a hot cup of tea, contributing to the distinctive flavor of Tet. 

Moreover, candied kumquats also have the effect of treating coughs, phlegm, gastrointestinal-related diseases, stomach issues, and greatly supporting the immune system. Although making candied kumquats is not too difficult, to create visually appealing candied fruits with a delicious sweet and sour taste without bitterness, you need a special secret. 

Image: Collection

Below are the ways to make delicious and very easy-to-make candied kumquats. Depending on the conditions and available ingredients, you can choose one of the simple methods of making candied kumquats below:

2. Simple Method for Making Whole Candied Kumquats with Brown Sugar

The combination of the sourness of kumquats and the sweetness of sugar will create a good throat snack and treat coughs very effectively. You can apply the method of making candied kumquats without lime below with just 4 simple and easy-to-find ingredients. 

Prepare Ingredients

• Kumquats (quail fruit): 400g
• White granulated sugar: 100g
• Brown sugar: 100g
• A pinch of salt

Image: Collection

Preparation Method

Step 1: Preparing 

• Remove the stems from the kumquats, wash them with clean water to remove any dirt. Place the kumquats in a bowl of diluted saltwater, soak for about 10 minutes to clean the peel, then remove and drain.
• Use a knife to score 6-8 edges along the length of the fruit.
• After scoring, gently press to remove the seeds inside to avoid bitterness when eating candied kumquats. Keep the juice extracted in the refrigerator to use when candying the kumquats, the candied kumquats will taste better.

Step 2: Making Kumquat Candied without Lime

• Prepare a clean glass jar, layer the kumquats inside, alternating between kumquat and white sugar.
• Soak for about 1 day or overnight to allow the sugar to evenly penetrate the fruits.

Step 3: Candying the Kumquats

• After sufficient soaking time, place everything in a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Dissolve 100g of rock sugar in warm water and add to the pot.During cooking, stir constantly to prevent burning.
• Simmer until the sugar syrup thickens and coats the kumquats evenly. Once the candied kumquats have a beautiful golden color, turn off the heat, and transfer them to a plate to cool.
• Dry the candied kumquats in the sun for 2 days or in an oil-free frying pan for about 10 minutes to remove excess sugar.

Final Product

A sweet and tangy treat perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot tea. If you prefer a less sweet taste, you can reduce the amount of rock sugar during the soaking step. After cooking, transfer the candied kumquats to a glass jar, seal tightly, and store for later use. This is a simple method for making kumquat preserves without the need for lime and alum that many people have successfully adopted.

Image: Collect

3. How to Make Kumquat Preserves Without Bitterness Using Lime Water and Alum

If you want to completely eliminate bitterness, you can use lime water and alum during the soaking process. By following the steps below, you can create delicious and perfectly balanced candied kumquats. 

Preparing the Ingredients

• Kumquats: 2kg
• White sugar: 800g
• Alum: 5g
• Lime water
• Salt

Image: Collected

Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Preparation 

• Soak the kumquats in diluted saltwater for about 15 minutes, then rinse them thoroughly and let them drain
• Use a knife to lightly score the skin to create a five-petal flower pattern
• Gently press both ends of the kumquats to squeeze out the juice and seeds, keeping the juice for later to enhance the flavor
• Next, immerse the kumquats in lime water for about 3 hours. Then, remove them and rinse off the lime water, letting them drain.
• Re-measure the weight and prepare the sugar in a ratio of 1kg kumquats : 600g sugar. If you prefer sweeter taste, you can add more sugar. 

Step 2: Blanched in Alum Syrup

• Prepare a large pot of water, add alum to the pot, and bring it to a boil
• Blanch the kumquats in the boiling water for about 30 seconds, then remove and rinse them in clean water once again

Step 4: Making Jam

• Put a pan on the stove, add 600g of sugar and water to the pan, stir continuously until boiling, then reduce heat.
• When the sugar forms threads, add the kumquats and cook for about 2-3 minutes.
• Add 10 tablespoons of coconut water and a pinch of salt, then simmer.
• After 3 minutes, remove the kumquats into a separate bowl.
• Continue simmering the remaining sugar mixture over low heat. Test a drop of syrup in a bowl of cold water, if the sugar doesn't dissolve, add the kumquats to the pan.
• Once the sugar coats the kumquats evenly, the jam is ready.
• Let the jam dry and cool completely before storing it in a tightly sealed glass jar for later use. 

Finished Product

With this method of making kumquat jam, you'll achieve a sweet and mild-flavored treat, perfect for serving to guests alongside hot tea. It's an ideal snack for casual gatherings and conversations. 

Photo: Collection

4. How to Make Candied Kumquats with Honey and Ginger

With this method of making candied kumquats with honey and ginger, you'll quickly have a deliciously fragrant treat.

Preparing Ingredients

• Kumquats: 1kg
• Ginger: 1 small knob thinly sliced
• Granulated sugar: 700g
• Honey: 25g

Photo: Collection

Preparation Method

Step 1: Preparing Ingredients 

• Soak the kumquats in diluted salt water for about 20-30 minutes, then drain.
• Use a knife to score 5-6 edges to create a flower shape.
• Gently squeeze both ends of the kumquat to release excess water and seeds. Reserve the juice for later use.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, turn off the heat, and soak the kumquats for about 1 minute to soften the peel.
• Remove the kumquats and place them in a bowl of ice water for about 3 minutes, then drain.

Step 2: Marinating Kumquats with Sugar

• Marinate the kumquats with granulated sugar in layers, alternating between kumquats and sugar.
• Add thinly sliced ginger and 3-5 tablespoons of reserved juice to marinate.
• Soak for about 2 days until the sugar is completely dissolved. If you don't have granulated sugar, you can use white sugar and soak until dissolved.

Step 3: Cooking the Jam

• Put the mixture of sugar and kumquats in a pan and cook over medium heat.
• Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat and add honey to the pot of jam.
• Flip the kumquats regularly to prevent burning.
• When the liquid is almost evaporated, turn off the heat and let it cool.

Step 4: Drying the Jam

• Place the jam in a dehydrator or an air fryer without oil and dry for 10 minutes until the sugar is completely dry.

Finished Product 

The candied kumquats have a deep yellow color, a sweet and tangy taste that blends perfectly with the intense aroma of ginger. Moreover, with this whole candied kumquat recipe, you don't have to worry about bitterness and can store them in the refrigerator to enjoy throughout the winter or during Tet.

Photo: Collection

5. Tips for Making Candied Kumquats

Candied kumquats may turn out bitter, overly sour, or unevenly flavored. To fix these issues, pay attention to the following tips.

How to Choose and Store Kumquats

You should select ripe, evenly sized, and attractively deep yellow kumquats. Avoid those that are damaged, bruised, or still green.

Avoid storing them too deeply or too shallowly. Storing them too deeply can cause the fruits to spoil during candying.

When juicing, avoid squeezing too hard beforehand as it can dry out the kumquats during candying. You can use a toothpick to easily remove the tiny seeds inside the fruit.

After drying the kumquats, you can place the cooled jam into a glass jar and store it in the cool compartment of the refrigerator. The best way to make candied kumquats is to dry them in the oven. If you don't have an oven, you can stack them on a rack and sun-dry for 2 days.

Photo: Collection

How to Make Lime Water

If you don't know how to make lime water, you can follow the recipe below. First, dissolve slaked lime in water, then let it settle overnight or for about 10 hours for the lime to settle, then collect the lime water. Use a cloth or sieve to remove any impurities floating on the surface. Making lime water takes time, so you can prepare lime water in advance before making the candied kumquats.

Hoping that with this delicious kumquat jam recipe, shared by Mytour Blog, you can create a sweet, perfectly balanced jam. Instead of buying ready-made jams, why not try making your own at home and invite friends and family to enjoy it together.

In addition to kumquat jam, also explore how to make other delicious candies, cakes, and sweets to enjoy this Tet:

• How to Make Candied Plums
• How to Make Nougat Candy