Fruit
Loquat
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an early-season pome fruit of the rose family, native to China and long grown in Japan, the Mediterranean, and mild coastal climates. Oval orange-yellow fruits cluster on evergreen trees; flesh is juicy, floral-sweet with gentle tartness, and texture between apricot and plum. Large brown seeds sit in a central cavity and are discarded; thin skin may be eaten or peeled when fuzzy or tough. Peak season is spring in the Northern Hemisphere, filling the gap before summer stone fruit. Eat fresh, poach lightly, or cook into jams, jellies, and pies—pectin content helps set preserves. Slightly underripe fruit holds for cooking; fully soft fruit is best raw. Bruising shows quickly on the thin skin, so careful packing matters more than long cold storage.
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A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0.32 g
- Saturated Fat 0.05 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 5.1 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 12.4 g
- Dietary Fibre 2 g
- Total Sugars 9.56 g
- Complex / starch 1.07 g
- Protein 0.79 g
- Water 81.9 g
- Energy 54.5 kcal
- Water 81.9 g
- Carbohydrates 12.4 g
- Sugars 9.56 g
- Monosaccharides 6.7 g
- Disaccharides 2.87 g
- Starch 1.07 g
- Amylose 0.27 g
- Amylopectin 0.8 g
- Digestible Starch 0.91 g
- Resistant Starch 0.11 g
- Fibre 2 g
- Soluble Fibre 0.7 g
- Insoluble Fibre 1.3 g
- Protein 0.79 g
- Plant Protein 0.75 g
- Fat 0.32 g
- Saturated Fat 0.05 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Vitamins 73.7 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.05 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 0.47 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.23 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.09 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 1.1 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 16.9 µg
- Vitamin C 29 mg
- Vitamin E 0.33 mg
- Vitamin K 5.5 µg
- Minerals 319 mg
- Major Minerals 313 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.3 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 29 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.02 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.05 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 0.47 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.23 · vitamin-b6: 0.09 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 1.1 · vitamin-b9-folate: 16.9 · vitamin-e: 0.33 · vitamin-k: 5.5 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 5.1 · Potassium: 264 · Calcium: 44 · Iron: 0.9 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·
Fruit energy is mostly natural sugars with fibre and vitamin C varying by species.
History
Loquat was used as a fruit food in regional diets long before industrial packing and global year-round supply.
Trade, migration, and selection spread distinctive Loquat types and preparations into new climates and cuisines.
Modern production, storage, and transport made Loquat a regular purchase far from where it is grown or raised.
Cooks now treat Loquat as both staple and specialty, with more attention to provenance, variety, and form.