Uses of Calamansi
Citrofortunella microcarpa is a citrus crop indigenous to the Philippines. It is one of the major and important fruit crops in the country. To many Filipinos, it is kalamansi. Others call it lemonsito or kalamondin. Calamansi trees are commonly found in the backyard of Filipino homes; while, its fruit is commonly found in the kitchen of many Filipino homes as it has versatile home uses such as ingredient to many mouthwatering Filipino dishes, as cleansing agent, as beauty remedies, and, as medicine. According to the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos 2000 developed by the Technical Working Group headed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), 34 pieces of medium sized calamansi are needed to meet the daily requirement of Vitamin C.
A value chain analysis on calamansi establishes that calamansi is a highly potential commodity to invest on given the wide-range uses of calamansi fruit; and that small calamansi producers can gain higher profit if they engage in processing.
According to Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), fresh calamansi fruit and concentrate have a notable contribution of US$ 238.85 thousand in the export market for the year 2005. Demand of fresh and processed calamansi in the export is increasing due to migration of many global Filipinos.
The Philippine government through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has been conducting studies about the calamansi to further aid small–scale farmers in the market. This resulted in the different uses of calamansi parts and the encouragement of near–farm processing to further minimize losses owing to spoilage and to increase farmers’ income.
- Mouthwatering Filipino Dishes with Calamansi
- Medicinal Uses
- Home Remedies
- Beauty Remedies