Calamansi fruit from the Philippines

  This is not really a mainstay food. But, it’s found on nearly every plate! From the outside Calamansi looks like a little lime, but once opened it looks like an orange.

In the Philippines it’s about a third the size of a golf ball and used extensively throughout the country as a seasoning.

What does calamansi taste like?

To me it tastes like a mandarin mixed with lime, sour yet with a sweet orange zest. It’s not so nice to eat alone, as it’s just too bitter.

However, when squeezed over food it becomes quite mild and is only faintly tasted. Moreover, it adds a unique and pleasant flavor. But do as the Filipinos do and it’s actually very nice.

Calamansi Juice:

Calamansi  is also used as a juice drink. I say juice drink as it’s usually pre mixed with honey and water. Calamansi juice is light, refreshing and is rapidly becoming very popular.

Calamansi is best mixed with soy sauce:

In most eateries and homes around the Philippines calamansi is mixed with soy sauce and chilli. This is then used as a dip for meat, or poured over a dish. Usually you mix this yourself at your table. So if you see these green fruits on a table in a little plastic dish; you know what to do!

Below is a slideshow with several different images of Calamansi from the Philippines

This is an additional post and one of a series highlighting Great Filipino food