Loquat vs. Kumquat — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on June 27, 2024
Loquat is a large evergreen shrub with yellow fruit, while kumquat is a small citrus fruit resembling a miniature orange.
Difference Between Loquat and Kumquat
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both loquat and kumquat are fruits but have different characteristics and origins. The loquat, scientifically known as Eriobotrya japonica, is native to China and Japan and belongs to the Rosaceae family. Its fruit is large, usually yellow, and has a sweet, tangy taste, often used in jams or eaten fresh. Contrastingly, the kumquat belongs to the Rutaceae family, typically associating it with citrus fruits. Its scientific name is Fortunella, and it's known for being a small, oval, or round fruit resembling a miniature orange. Kumquats are sweet and tangy, with an edible skin. These fruits can be consumed raw, candied, or made into jellies.
Loquats bear fruit in clusters and have large seeds inside, often requiring removal before consumption. The flesh of the loquat is juicy and can range from sweet to slightly acidic. On the other hand, kumquats are bite-sized fruits without significant seeds, allowing consumers to eat them whole, including the skin, which provides a burst of tartness.
In terms of cultivation, loquats prefer subtropical to mild temperate climates and are frost-sensitive. Kumquats, however, can tolerate colder temperatures better than many other citrus plants. They can be grown in containers and even make attractive ornamental plants due to their shiny leaves and vibrant fruits.
While both loquat and kumquat have Asian origins, their flavors, appearances, and uses in culinary applications distinguish them from each other. They might sound similar, but their unique attributes make them stand apart in the world of fruits.
Comparison Chart
Family
Rosaceae
Rutaceae
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Origin
China and Japan
Southeast Asia
Fruit Appearance
Large, yellow
Small, resembling miniature oranges
Edible Parts
Flesh (seeds removed)
Whole fruit including skin
Growth
Large evergreen shrub or tree
Small tree or shrub
Compare with Definitions
Loquat
A large evergreen shrub.
The loquat tree shaded her garden.
Kumquat
Used raw, candied, or in jellies.
He enjoyed candied kumquats during the holidays.
Loquat
Consumed fresh or in jams.
She made a delicious loquat jam.
Kumquat
From the Rutaceae family.
Kumquats are a unique member of the citrus family.
Loquat
A fruit native to China and Japan.
He enjoyed the sweet taste of the loquat.
Kumquat
Resembles a miniature orange.
The kumquat looked like a tiny orange.
Loquat
Yellow fruit from the Rosaceae family.
The birds feasted on the ripe loquats.
Kumquat
Edible whole, including skin.
Eating a kumquat whole gives a sweet-tart taste.
Loquat
Contains large seeds.
She removed the seeds from the loquat before eating.
Kumquat
A small citrus fruit.
She added sliced kumquats to her salad.
Loquat
The edible fruit of this plant.
Kumquat
Kumquats (; Chinese: 金桔, gāmgāt or jīnjú), or cumquats in Australian English, are a group of small fruit-bearing trees in the flowering plant family Rutaceae. They were previously classified as forming the now-historical genus Fortunella, or placed within Citrus, sensu lato.
Loquat
The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a large evergreen shrub or tree, grown commercially for its orange fruit and for its leaves for tea originated from China and imported to Japan during Tang dynasty at early medieval ages (known as "biwa cha" in Japan), and also cultivated as an ornamental plant. The loquat is in the family Rosaceae, and is native to the cooler hill regions of south-central China.
Kumquat
An orange-like fruit related to the citruses, with an edible sweet rind and acid pulp.
Loquat
A small yellow egg-shaped acidic fruit.
Kumquat
The East Asian shrub or small tree that yields the kumquat.
Loquat
The evergreen East Asian tree of the rose family that bears the loquat, cultivated both for its fruit and as an ornamental.
Kumquat
Any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Fortunella, having small, edible, orangelike fruit.
Loquat
A small evergreen tree (Eriobotrya japonica) in the rose family, native to China and Japan, having fragrant white flowers and pear-shaped yellow fruit with large seeds.
Kumquat
The fruit of any of these plants, having an acid pulp and a thin, edible rind.
Loquat
The Eriobotrya japonica tree.
Kumquat
A small, orange citrus-like fruit which is native to Asia (Citrus japonica, syn. Fortunella japonica).
Loquat
The fruit of this tree. It is as large as a small plum, but grows in clusters, and contains four or five large seeds.
Kumquat
Any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Fortunella (formerly Citrus) of the rue family (Rutaceae) (especially Citrus Japonica) growing in China and Japan bearing small orange-colored edible fruits with thick sweet-flavored skin and sour pulp; also, any of the small acid, orange-colored citrus fruits of such plants, used mostly for preserves.
Loquat
The fruit of the Japanese medlar (Photinia Japonica). It is as large as a small plum, but grows in clusters, and contains four or five large seeds. Also, the tree itself.
Kumquat
Any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Fortunella bearing small orange-colored edible fruits with thick sweet-flavored skin and sour pulp
Loquat
Evergreen tree of warm regions having fuzzy yellow olive-sized fruit with a large free stone; native to China and Japan
Kumquat
Small oval citrus fruit with thin sweet rind and very acid pulp
Loquat
Yellow olive-sized semitropical fruit with a large free stone and relatively little flesh; used for jellies
Common Curiosities
Are the seeds of the loquat edible?
It's best to remove loquat seeds before consumption, as they're large and not typically eaten.
Can you eat the skin of a kumquat?
Yes, the skin of a kumquat is edible and often consumed.
To which family does the loquat belong?
The loquat belongs to the Rosaceae family.
Where did the kumquat originate?
The kumquat has its origins in Southeast Asia.
Which fruit has an edible skin, loquat or kumquat?
Kumquat has an edible skin.
Which fruit is larger, loquat or kumquat?
Loquat is typically larger than kumquat.
Is the kumquat a citrus fruit?
Yes, the kumquat is a type of citrus fruit.
What color is a ripe loquat?
A ripe loquat is typically yellow.
Is the name "loquat" related to "kumquat" in meaning?
Despite the phonetic similarity, "loquat" and "kumquat" are not related in meaning.
How is the loquat usually consumed?
Loquat can be eaten fresh or used in jams and other dishes.
Which fruit can be candied, loquat or kumquat?
While both can technically be candied, kumquats are more commonly candied due to their size and edible skin.
Can loquats grow in cold climates?
Loquats prefer subtropical to mild temperate climates and are sensitive to frost.
Are loquat trees evergreen?
Yes, loquat trees are evergreen.
How do kumquats taste?
Kumquats have a sweet and tangy flavor, with a tart skin.
Can you make jam out of kumquats?
Yes, kumquats can be made into jam or jelly.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
