Can You Freeze Kumquats?

A kumquat is a sweet and tart citrus fruit that originated from China but is now grown in many warm climates all over the world. People who are on a health kick may want to stock up on these delicious little fruits but in order to stop them from spoiling, how should you store them?

How to Freeze Kumquats

Many fruits can be frozen, but their flavour and texture won’t be quite the same once thawed. Kumquats survive the freezer better than most soft fruits, but they will still come out a little soggy.

Fortunately, the texture is irrelevant to most kumquat recipes as the fruits are often cooked and/or pureed.

In order to ensure your kumquats are stored correctly, and freeze in the best way, simply follow the steps below to make sure your kumquats will survive the freezer for the longest time possible:

1. Prepare
   Firstly, wash the kumquats, being sure to remove any dirt and stems that may have remained on the fruit when picked. 
2. Make a Simple Syrup
   In a saucepan, make a simple sugar syrup using 4 parts water to 2 parts water. Heat and stir frequently until the sugar has dissolved. 
3. Place Kumquats in Bags
   Place the kumquats into airtight ziplock bags. Using silicone bags will help preserve the fruit for longer.
4. Pour Over Syrup
   Pour the cooled syrup into the bag, covering the kumquats. Be sure to leave about ½ inch of space to allow for expansion as the syrup freezes.
5. Remove as Much Air as Possible
   Gently squeeze the bags to get all of the air out, preventing the bag tearing or exploding, and then seal. 
6. Label
   Label the bag with the contents and date of freezing to help with reference in future.
7. Freeze
   Place the bag in the deepest part of the freezer, laying the bag flat and where nothing else will fall on to the bag. 

3 Tips for Freezing Kumquats

Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing kumquats to have the best results:

Remove the Seeds
To save time, you can remove the seeds from the kumquats and cut them into slices before you freeze them. This does mean they won’t last as long in the freezer, but you can add them straight into recipes from frozen. 

Keep Out of the Sun
Before freezing, keep kumquats out of direct sunlight and ideally keep them at a cool temperature. Kumquats don’t last long at room temperature so storing them appropriately before freezing will ensure you freeze them in their best state.

Use Quickly
Whilst the kumquats will keep well for up to 12 months, they will get progressively softer and mushier. If you’re going to be pureeing the kumquats, then this isn’t an issue, but if you are wanting to eat them whole then it’s best to eat them sooner rather than later. 

How Long Can You Freeze Kumquats?

You can keep fresh kumquats in the freezer for up to 12 months, though after around 6-8 months, they may start to deteriorate in texture. You may notice they become softer, but they are still good to eat past this point. 

You Can Freeze Kumquats for up to 12 Months

How Do You Defrost Kumquats?

If you have sliced and deseeded your kumquats before freezing, you can just use them straight into your favourite kumquat recipe as if they were fresh.

Frozen kumquats work really well in recipes such as tarts, jams or marmalades. If you want to eat the kumquats whole, you can simply leave them in the fridge to thaw out slightly before you eat them.

Can You Refreeze Kumquats?

It is not advised to refreeze kumquats as they already have a very delicate texture, so vast changes in temperature could irreversibly change the texture of your kumquats. 

Do Kumquats Freeze Well?

Yes, you can freeze kumquat, and they freeze quite well.

Due to their small size, most people will just freeze the entire fruit, with the skin and all though you can freeze it with or without seeds, sliced, diced or whole.

You can use the fruit from frozen, which is handy if you are pressed for time, or you can leave it to thaw in the fridge.

You should expect some softening to the texture of the fruit, which can’t be avoided, but by preserving them correctly in the freezer, you can limit this.

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing kumquats, then these may help: