Check Our our Loquat Tree

Video: Picking Fruit from our Loquat Tree

What Are Loquats?

We won’t get scientific here….yet. For quick explanation, loquats are like a tropical apricot. But loquats are not in the stone fruit family like apricots or peaches. That’s the easiest and quickest way we explain loquats. The trees are warm weather tropical trees and are often found in gardens, sidewalks or growing out of control in someone’s yard. The leaves are big and long, classic of tropical looking plants. The fruits are the size of apricots with skin similar to apricots but loquats have several big seeds rather than one seed. For your science geeks out there, the scientific classification is Eriobotrya japonica.

• Difference between kumquat and loquats? Kumquats are a type of citrus and they’re not super juicy, minimal flesh and are used more for their skin and marmalade or jams. Loquats are not in the citrus family and the fruit skins are fuzzy, like a peach.
• Loquat trees are evergreen trees, meaning they don’t shed their leaves on a seasonal basis. Sometimes they’ll drop a leaf or two but rarely do they ever make a mess.
• Their fruit and leaves are known to be super duper healthy. Best of all, the leaves are known to be used as tea to help lower blood sugars. I (Diane) have tried this and tested it on my Stelo CGM. The loquat tea leaves did work for me (more to come)

What do Loquats Taste Like?

Like we mentioned, the look is similar to apricots but the flavors and textures are different and very tropical.

• The fuzzy loquat skin is totally edible. But if you don’t like the skin, the skin is easily peelable when the fruit is nice and ripe. That’s the great thing about loquats is that if you let them tree ripen enough, the skin peels off like a banana. Watch the video!
• Flesh is very juicy and tangy sweet.
• The easiest way to describe them is like eating a tropical apricot. Easy!

How would you eat loquats or prepare them?

• First of all, best way to eat them is fresh off the tree. If you can, get a hold of some that are tree ripened and have stayed on the tree to develop their sugars and flavors. If you pick them too early, they’ll be super tart and not as tasty. But if you like tart, then go for them when they’re firm!
• Make a jam or chutney out of them.
• Loquat tea is fantastic. It’s been understood that if you use loquat leaves to make a tea, it’s great for lowering blood sugar. Here’s an article discussing the benefits of loquat tea for lowering blood sugar. So if you have a loquat tree, then you have an endless supply of tea leaves.
• fruit salads are always great when you add some loquats in the salad. Remove the skin, and seed. Halve the juicy loquats and it’s a antioxidant salad.

Problems with Peeling Loquats

As soon as you remove the peel and cut the loquats, they start to oxidize and turn brown. So don’t prep them in this way until you are ready to serve or eat them. If you’re making a loquat jam, then it doesn’t matter if they turn brown a bit because they get cooked down anyways.

Growing a Loquat Tree

These trees are pretty easy to grow, especially when you’re in a warm or humid climate. Loquat trees thrive in Southern California, Arizona and Florida to name a few states. But check your local nursery. If they carry the tree, then you should be in the growing zone for the tree.

Starting a Loquat Tree from Seed

Yes, we’ve seen loquat seedlings sprout from seeds that fell to the ground. They do grow rapidly and you’ll get a nice tree within about 5-7 years. But we aren’t sure if they can bear fruit. Best is to ask your local nursery or a master fruit tree specialist to know if growing a tree from seed will bear fruit.

More Recipes:

• fresh apricot bars
• crispy roast chicken – with crispy skin
• Sweet & spicy green tomato chutney
• homemade thai tea recipe is better than the restaurant
• chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with apricot
• baked ham with apricot glaze