It is a small tree that grows into a contained bushy form. The leaves are characteristically citrus-like. The limequat produces an abundance of fruit even at a young age. The fruit is small, oval, greenish-yellow and contains seeds or pips. It has a sweet-tasting skin and a bitter-sweet pulp with a flavor similar to limes. The fruit can be eaten whole or the juice and rind can be used to flavor drinks and dishes. It has considerable amounts of vitamin C and is highly acidic.
Limequats can be grown indoors or outdoors providing the temperature stays between 10 and 30 °C (50 and 86 °F). They are fairly small and can be planted in containers or pots, in well-drained fertile soil. Plants grow fairly slowly and flower and fruit for 5–7 months, then rest for 5–7 months.
Limequats are more cold-hardy than limes but less cold-hardy than kumquats.
Limequats are used in cocktails and fruit salads, and can be candied whole. They can be cooked if the seeds are removed, as they impart a bitter taste, and they can also be made into conserves.[2]
Varieties
Eustis LimequatLakeland Limequat
There are three different named cultivars of limequats:
Eustis (Citrus japonica (synonym Fortunella japonica) × Citrus aurantiifolia) - Key lime crossed with round kumquat, the most common limequat. It was named after the city of Eustis, Florida.
Lakeland (Citrus japonica × Citrus aurantiifolia) - Key lime crossed with round kumquat, different seed from same hybrid parent as Eustis. Fruit is slightly larger and contains a few fewer seeds than Eustis. It was named after the city of Lakeland, Florida.
Tavares (Citrus japonica 'Margarita' × Citrus aurantiifolia) - Key lime crossed with oval kumquat (though there is some speculation that it is actually a lemon/kumquat hybrid), fruit is larger and more elongated and color at maturity is more orange than other limequats. It was named after the city of Tavares, Florida.[1]
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