Loquat FAQs

nick musica

Published Apr 17, 2020. Read time: 6 mins

Loquat

Loquat FAQs

Loquat fruits grow in clusters and are oval or pear-shaped, growing to 1-2 inches long. Their skin is an orangey-yellow closely resembling the fuzzy texture of a peach. When you bite or cut into a loquat you will find an orange, sweet, juicy flesh with a few inedible seeds.

Intrigued? Be prepared to know more about loquat than you ever imagined!

What Is Loquat

Loquat, or Eriobotrya japonica, are native to the cooler hill regions of south-central China. In Cantonese, the word loquat, translates to “black orange” which is thought to originate from the color of the fruit prior to ripening. They have naturalized to many countries all over the world, in places that boast warmer climates. In the U.S., they grow in warmer states like Hawaii, California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

What Color Is Loquat

Loquats are green until ripe, when they turn an orangey-yellow color.

How To Tell If Loquat Is Ripe

A loquat is ripe when orangey-yellow and no green remains. When squeezed gently, the fruit will be a little soft, much like a peach.

How To Prepare Loquat

Much like a peach or apricot, you can eat the whole loquat fruit discarding the few large seeds you come across. They make a fantastic, satisfying, and refreshing snack.

If you don't like the skin, it can be easily peeled and discarded with your fingers.

To prepare a loquat for a child's snack, a fruit salad, or a cheese platter, simply slice from top to bottom all the way around the fruit – like you would a peach. The seeds will be revealed in the center and can be removed easily with your fingers or the tip of your knife. You can remove the flesh from the peels at this point or eat them.

Where Does Loquat Grow

Loquats grow in warm climates all over the world, including China, Japan, the Meditteranean basin, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Kenya, India, Iran, and the United States.

In the U.S., they grow in warmer states like Hawaii, California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

In California you can typically find Loquat wherever you find avocados growing.

Nutrition Of Loquat

Loquats get their orange color from plant chemicals called carotenoids that are high in vitamin A and are essential for healthy eyes and a strong immune system. They are also a good source of fiber, potassium, calcium, and manganese.

100 grams of loquat contains:

Calories 47
Carbohydrates 12.1 g
Dietary Fiber 1.7 g
Fat 0.2 g
Protein 0.4 g
Vitamin A 31% of the RDI
Vitamin C 2% of the RDI
Vitamin B6 5% of the RDI
Potassium 8% of the RDI
Managnese 7% of the RDI
Calcium 2% of the RDI

When Is Loquat In Season

You can typically find loquats in season from April through September.

What Does Loquat Go In

Loquats go well in fruit salads, eaten on their own, alongside a cheese or charcuterie tray, and into desserts. Try using loquats as a substitute for peaches or apricots in cakes, tarts, and pies. They even go well in savory cooked dishes paired with chicken.

The high pectin content makes loquats a great choice for jams and jellies.

Some people even use their loquats to make a nice, refreshing wine.

What Does Loquat Taste Like

Loquats feel a lot like a peach or apricot on the outside. The flavor of a loquat is sweet and tangy with a little bit of sourness.

How To Store Loquat

You can store ripe loquat at a cool room temperature for a week. If your house is a little warmer, it may be best to store them in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Loquat Vs Kumquat

The only real similarities between these two fruits are the color and names. Loquat more closely resembles a peach and the kumquat is part of the citrus flavor resembling a small orange in appearance with a flavor somewhere between lime and lemon.

Can Dogs Eat Loquat

Loquats are not known to harm dogs unless a large quantity of the seeds are eaten as well. Your furry friend should be able to enjoy loquats in moderation.