Copius
Calamansi, drawn for Copius

Calamansi

Calamansi

Latin nameCitrus × microcarpa
FamilyFruits
OriginPhilippines
Season (France)All year
FlavourSour · Citrusy · Floral · Bitter
Typical price (France)20–40 €/kg

What it is

A cross between a kumquat and a mandarin, green outside and orange within, and the default sourness of Filipino cooking the way lemon is of European. It is squeezed over almost everything, and a saucer of it sits on most tables.

In the kitchen

Squeeze it gently. Press too hard and you crush the peel oils into the juice, which turns it bitter fast.

Goes with

Soy sauce Chili pepper Garlic Fish sauce Ginger Cilantro / Coriander Honey Coconut milk

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