• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Recipe for Perfection

Easy Recipes That Work

  • Home
  • The Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
  • Most Popular
  • Recipes
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Courses
    • Salad
    • Sauces
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soup
  • Tasty Tips
    • Food Hacks
    • Products I Like
    • Gift Guides
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • As Seen On
    • Privacy
    • Disclosure
Home » Recipes » Desserts » Candy » Candied Kumquat Peels, Kumquat Syrup, and Kumquat-Ade Recipe

Candied Kumquat Peels, Kumquat Syrup, and Kumquat-Ade Recipe

January 18, 2015 By Katie Moseman 45 Comments

Pin569
Share164
Reddit
Tweet80
Yum13
Email
826 Shares
Print Recipe Jump to Recipe

With just four cups of fruit, you can make three different and delicious kumquat treats. You’ll love the sweet, refreshing citrus flavor!

Candied kumquat peels, kumquat syrup, and kumquat-ade

We are so lucky to have a kumquat tree.  Two or three times a year, it produces sweet-smelling white flowers, followed by small, round orange fruits with sweet edible skin and sour but flavorful juice.  Since this week’s #SundaySupper theme is “Hometown Recipes,” how much more hometown can you get than your own backyard?

Our tree produces so much fruit that we can’t possibly eat it all, but I make a good effort to use as much of it as I can.  From just four cups of fruit, you can make three delicious treats in one session of cooking.

  • Candied Kumquat Peels:  Because of their pretty color and sparking sugar crystals, candied kumquat peels also make a lovely gift.  If you hold one of the candied kumquat peels up in the sunlight, its translucence makes it look like a shard of stained glass.
  • Kumquat Syrup:  Kumquat syrup is addictively delicious.  You can use it to glaze cakes, mix in drinks, top your biscuits, or in any place you’d use honey or maple syrup.
  • Kumquat-Ade:  Kumquat-ade is so refreshing.  It tastes like sunshine!  I prefer it hands-down over lemonade.

The recipe for Candied Kumquat Peels is based on a Whole Foods recipe for candied lemon peels.  I’d be willing to bet that it will work similarly for any citrus fruit.  Don’t skip the step of boiling the peel three times.  I tried skipping that step for one small batch just to see what happened, and they came out very sticky and never dried out as they should have.  So, it’s important.

You can find kumquats with the citrus in your grocery store.  I hope you enjoy this kumquat harvest!  And don’t forget to check out all the other hometown recipes for #SundaySupper!

Candied kumquat peel in the sun

 

5 from 1 vote
Print

Candied Kumquat Peels, Kumquat Syrup, and Kumquat-Ade

You'll love the fresh citrus flavor of crisp and chewy kumquat peels, sweet and tangy kumquat syrup, and refreshing kumquat-ade!
Servings 4
Author Katie Moseman

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Candied Kumquat Peels and Kumquat Syrup

  • 4 cups whole kumquats
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar plus more for drying

Ingredients for the Kumquat-Ade

  • granulated sugar You'll need an equal amount of sugar as you have kumquat juice.
  • water

Instructions

Directions for the Kumquat-Ade (1 part juice, 1 part sugar, 3 parts water)

  1. Rinse the kumquats. Juice them on a citrus juicer or squeezer. It's OK if the peels rip, as long as they aren't shredded into tiny pieces. Set aside the peels to be used for candied kumquat peels and kumquat syrup.

  2. Measure the juice, then measure out an equal amount of sugar. Measure out water equal to 3 times the amount of juice. Place the sugar and water in a pot and warm the water while stirring to dissolve the sugar completely. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then mix the sweetened water and the juice together in a pitcher. Taste it, and add more water if it is too strong for your taste. Refrigerate.

Directions for the Candied Kumquat Peels and Kumquat Syrup

  1. Remove any segments of fruit and dangling strings from the peels. Try to keep the peels in relatively large pieces.

  2. Place the peels in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, and boil for 1 minute. Drain. Repeat this step two more times.
  3. Place the kumquat peels, 2 cups of water and 1 1/2 cups of sugar to the pot. Bring to a boil and stir gently to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat and simmer on a low boil for one hour.
  4. Prepare drying trays by lining two cookie sheets with parchment paper, then sprinkling with sugar.
  5. Place a colander or strainer over a large bowl. Drain the peels, letting the syrup run into the bowl. Set the syrup aside to cool.
  6. Spread out each peel on the drying tray so that they do not overlap and are not folded over on themselves. Sprinkle evenly with more sugar until coated. Let dry for about 6 hours, or overnight. Once completely dry, store in containers or jars with a little extra sugar to preserve their dryness.
  7. Strain the syrup into jars or containers. Refrigerate or freeze.

Recipe Notes

Use the syrup for mixed drinks, cake glaze, or as a topping in place of maple syrup or honey.

Jar of Kumquat Syrup
Breakfast

  • Alamo City Breakfast Tacos by The Weekend Gourmet
  • Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bagels by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
  • Mickey Mouse Waffles by Wallflour Girl
  • New York Style Bagels by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
  • Peanut Butter and Fluff French Toast by Momma’s Meals

Drinks

  • Candied Kumquat Peels, Kumquat Syrup, and Kumquat-Ade by Recipe for Perfection
  • Wine Pairing Recommendations for Hometown Food by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Appetizers and Snacks

  • Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings by Peanut Butter and Peppers
  • Cuban Sandwich Crostini by Casa de Crews
  • Cuban Sandwich Dip by Family Foodie
  • South Jersey Boardwalk Popcorn by Take A Bite Out of Boca

Main Dishes

  • Chicken and Dumplings by Food Lust People Love
  • Crockpot Cincinnati Chili by Palatable Pastime
  • Fried Rice Vermicelli with Vegetable Fritters by Brunch with Joy
  • Honey Cola Baked Ham by Magnolia Days
  • Hot Brown Ham Sliders by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
  • Joe’s Special by Nosh My Way
  • Lentil, Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry by Mess Makes Food
  • New England Beans and Cod by Cooking Chat
  • Oven Toasted Ravioli by Curious Cuisiniere
  • Philadelphia Tomato Pie by The Redhead Baker
  • Pierogies by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
  • Portobello “Philly Cheese Steak” by PancakeWarriors
  • Pozole Rojo by Simply Healthy Family
  • Revved-up Poutine by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
  • Rice with Pork and Pineapple by Basic N Delicious
  • San Francisco Cioppino by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
  • Seattle-Style Dungeness Crab Roll by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
  • Tex-Mex Cheese Enchiladas with Chile con Carne by The Texan New Yorker
  • The Pittsburgh Devonshire Sandwich by Seduction in the Kitchen
  • Upper Peninsula Pasties by Recipes Food and Cooking
  • Victory Pig Sicilian Style Pizza by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
  • Xiang La Tu Zi // Hot & Spicy Rabbit by Curried Canteloupe

Side Dishes

  • 1905 Salad by Supper for a Steal
  • Chicken Rice Pilaf by Crazy Foodie Stunts
  • Classic Italian Risotto in Bianco by La Bella Vita Cucina
  • Greek Salad with Potato Salad by Ruffles & Truffles
  • Korean Steamed Eggs by Hip Foodie Mom
  • Smoke House Cheesy Garlic Bread by Peaceful Cooking

Desserts

  • Apple Crisp by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
  • Buckeye Cupcakes by Desserts Required
  • Carob Bumpy Cake by Pies and Plots
  • Chocolate Earthquake Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
  • Chocolate Pocky Cake by NinjaBaker
  • Grandma Sweeney’s Chocolate Cream Pie by Lifestyle Food Artistry
  • Lemon Buttermilk Bundt Cake by Alida’s Kitchen
  • Memories of Mom; Michigan Apple Cake by A Day in the Life on the Farm
  • Mile High Strawberry Pie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
  • Pear Parkin by Happy Baking Days
  • Vegan Timbits by Killer Bunnies, Inc
  • Vernors Cake by Country Girl in the Village

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Pin569
Share164
Reddit
Tweet80
Yum13
Email
826 Shares
Vegetable Cookbook

Filed Under: #SundaySupper, Beverages, Candy, Desserts, Recipes

Previous Post: « A Good Food Day by Marco Canora | Cookbook Review
Next Post: Cheetos: Hot New Superfood of 2015 »

Reader Interactions

Subscribe

Comments

  1. Nichole

    January 18, 2015 at 8:33 am

    This looks SO refreshing!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 9:15 am

      It really is refreshing! We always look forward to our kumquat harvests.

      Reply
  2. Coleen @ The Redhead Baker

    January 18, 2015 at 9:07 am

    You know, I’ve heard of kumquats, but I actually had no idea what they were! Thanks for showing me what they look like and what I can do with them!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 9:12 am

      You’re quite welcome!

      Reply
  3. Shannon Cole

    January 18, 2015 at 9:58 am

    Your kumquat-ade looks like sunshine! What pretty gifts from your own backyard. Love it!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 10:06 am

      Thanks! I’ve called kumquat-ade “drinkable sunshine” ever since I first started making it. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Liz

    January 18, 2015 at 10:40 am

    Lucky you with the supply of kumquats! I’d love to try all your lovely recipes 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 10:48 am

      Thanks, Liz! I feel very lucky indeed!

      Reply
  5. Deanna Samaan

    January 18, 2015 at 11:56 am

    This looks simply amazing! I cant wait till our Whole Foods is done so I can gets some Kumquats!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 2:55 pm

      Our Publix (a southeastern grocery chain) carries them, but they are the other variety of kumquat- an oval shape rather than round. Good luck!

      Reply
  6. Miss Messy

    January 18, 2015 at 11:56 am

    This looks amazing! I’m so jealous of your tree!

    Reply
  7. Laura Dembowski

    January 18, 2015 at 11:59 am

    I just love kumquats, but it is so hard to find good ones in Michigan. One day maybe I’ll live somewhere I can have a tree of my own too. That sounds awesome!

    Reply
  8. Katy

    January 18, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    Your candied kumquat is like a bit of summer sunshine in the darkest days of January! Just gorgeous!

    Reply
  9. Christie

    January 18, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    I’ve never made anything with kumquats. I’m definitely going to have to try one of these. It’s always good to try new things.

    Reply
  10. Valerie Cathell Clark

    January 18, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    This is a beautiful beverage! I’ve never worked kumquats! Going to try 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Oh, definitely- even if you don’t do the syrup & peels, at least try the kumquat-ade!

      Reply
  11. Stacy

    January 18, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Our neighbors had a kumquat tree when I was growing up and they were very kind to share, so I am rather jealous of yours, Katie. I love your trio of kumquat recipes, especially that candied peel. Lovely!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      I had never had them, either, before we bought this house. The candied peel was a surprise treat, as I am not usually a fruit candy lover!

      Reply
  12. Dini @ Giramuk's Kitchen

    January 18, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    I actually never had Kumquats! I should keep an eye out for it. I especially love the syrup! It looks delicious and beautiful!! 🙂
    You’re right Katie, it looks like Sunshine!!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      I am dying to make biscuits and slather them with some salted butter and some kumquat syrup!

      Reply
  13. Wendy Klik

    January 18, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    I have visions of kumquat martinis garnished with the candied peels. I’m putting my husband to work on it as soon as I make your delicious recipes

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 8:23 pm

      Oooh, now there’s a good idea!

      Reply
  14. Renee

    January 18, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    Now that looks like a fun time in the kitchen making all those recipes at once with kumquats.

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      LOL it was a total mess. But occasionally I go a bit nuts and cook up a storm- this was one of those times. The other time was last year when I made brownies inside pumpkins and then roasted all the seeds, too.

      Reply
  15. Shaina

    January 18, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    That’s so cool you have a kumquat tree! I have only used these little things once, but love the flavor. Your recipes are super creative, love ’em!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 8:24 pm

      Thank you Shaina!

      Reply
  16. Julie @ Texan New Yorker

    January 18, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    I’m trying to remember where kumquats usually grow, so I’m guessing you’re in Florida??

    These kumquat recipes look fantastic! Kumquats actually showed up on my Contracts exam my first year of law school, and to answer the question properly you had to know if kumquats were a fruit or a vegetable – and I didn’t know! I was so angry at the time, though it’s rather funny now!

    Reply
    • Katie

      January 18, 2015 at 8:25 pm

      Seriously? What a weird question for a law exam!
      And you are right- I’m in sunny Florida!

      Reply
  17. Hezzi-D

    January 18, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    You are so creative! This is an awesome kumquat spread!

    Reply
  18. The Ninja Baker

    January 18, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    You’re right! The lovely candied peels do look like stained glass. Lucky you that you can pluck the petite citrus perfection from your backyard. Thank you for the tip about staying true to the 3 times boil, Katie.

    Reply
  19. Alida

    January 18, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Kumquat-ade is awesome! Such a creative and tasty recipe!

    Reply
  20. Christine

    January 18, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    I only just discovered you can eat the whole thing, peel and all over Christmas! I love that you’ve found a way to have us using all of the fruit! I will definitely be making this!

    Reply
  21. Jen

    January 19, 2015 at 12:40 am

    I need to participate in #SundaySupper more. Maybe I’ll learn to enjoy cooking…

    Reply
  22. Meagan

    January 19, 2015 at 9:17 am

    So that’s what I do with the ignored tree in the back yard! I usually just let the five year old eat them all but I may have to take some from him.

    Reply
  23. Bess

    January 19, 2015 at 9:27 am

    Looks delicious! And although I don’t cook, I still love @SundaySupper!

    Reply
  24. Jane's Adventures in Dinner

    January 19, 2015 at 11:59 am

    This looks so amazing.

    Reply
  25. Martin Redmond

    January 19, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    I don’t think I’ve ever had a kumquat! Based on what I’m seeing here, I’m going to have to change that! I especially like the idea of candied kumquat peels! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  26. Mary Ellen

    January 20, 2015 at 5:20 pm

    I need to find some kumquats, my grandmother used to make jam with them when they were available.

    Reply
  27. CakeSpy

    January 20, 2015 at 10:06 pm

    Sounds as flavorful as it is beautiful. Plus, I love saying “kumquat”. It’s a jaunty word!

    Reply
  28. Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch

    January 21, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    How wonderful you grow your own kumquats! These all look amazing and I can only imagine how fabulous the kumquats smell fresh off the tree.

    Reply
  29. Cindys Recipes and Writings

    January 21, 2015 at 9:35 pm

    Triple delicious!

    Reply
  30. Mirlandra @ Mirlandra's Kitchen

    January 22, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    I am SO jealous of your yummy, yummy kumquat tree! This all looks delicious. I just made candied orange and lemon peels at Christmas and now I want to go scoop up some kumquats to try! Thanks.

    Reply
  31. Rose

    December 22, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Question, why is the kumquat boiled 3 times and can the drained juice be used for anything?

    Reply
    • Katie Moseman

      December 22, 2016 at 2:45 pm

      Hi Rose! Boiling the peels several times allows the peels to dry in a crispy fashion. I tested it. For some reason, when you only boil once, the peels dry softer and stickier, not crisp and dry. There’s probably some science behind it, but I don’t know the exact explanation.

      By “drained juice” I’m guessing you’re talking about the water the kumquats were boiled in (the actual kumquat juice, of course, can be made into kumquat-ade). I haven’t tried anything with the leftover water, so honestly, I’m not sure. Flavored ice cubes, maybe? That would make a good ice cube for kumquat-ade.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      -Katie

      Reply
  32. Nick

    April 23, 2020 at 9:55 am

    5 stars
    So so good!! Thanks! Never tried it before but this turned out so well!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Covers of I Hate Vegetables Cookbook in paperback and ebook format
Cookbook covers for Fixin to Eat in paperback and ebook format

Subscribe

Categories

Footer

Search Recipe for Perfection

Copyright 2014 - 2017