What Are the Health Benefits of Eating Loquat Fruits?

Kim is a holistic health coach and a toxic-free lifestyle consultant. She obtained her studies from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Loquat Fruit, the Japanese Plum

You may have spotted the small, yellow cluster of fruits grown from the gorgeous, exotic-looking trees along the streets of California. Also known as the Japanese Plum (also the Chinese plum, Nispero, and Japanese medlar), the loquat fruit tastes sweet and tangy, with a hint of sour at the same time.

What Do Loquats Taste Like?

Peel the thin outer layer, and you will be rewarded with the succulent and juicy flesh of the fruit. Picking loquat straight from the loquat tree and eating them raw reminds me of careless warm days of summer.

My favorite way to eat these healthy loquat fruits is raw. The flesh of loquat fruits is similar to a soft cantaloup. You can eat it fresh by itself or mixed with other fruits in a fruit salad. The loquat fruits can also be used to make jam, jelly, chutney, and even wine.

Not only do they taste delicious and refreshing, but there are also many health benefits to the loquat fruit.

What Do Loquat Trees Look Like?

The loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) can grow up to 30 feet, with its impressive foliage that adds that tropical look to any landscape. Loquat leaves are dark green, with a glossy appearance. Small white flowers provide a sweet subtle fragrance that appears in early spring or late winter. The fruits are usually ready to be harvested by March.

I have a smaller loquat tree that is about 10 feet in my garden. Our friendly squirrels also love to compete for the fruits. I have to tie plastic bags around the clusters of fruits to protect them from the squirrels.

My loquat tree is protected from the squirrels, who also love to eat them.

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Loquat Fruit Benefits

Loquats are extremely helpful for diabetics. My aunt is diabetic and uses the loquat leaves to brew tea, which helps stabilize her blood sugar level.

• Loquats are rich in soluble fiber due to pectin, which is a soluble dietary fiber found in citrus fruits. Pectin binds to cholesterol in the stomach and slows glucose absorption by trapping carbohydrates. Pectin also reduces cholesterol levels.
• Pectin in loquats also helps retain moisture in the colon and protects it from binding to toxic chemicals.
• Loquats are high in antioxidants. The riper they are, the higher the concentration of antioxidants.
• They have a high amount of vitamin A (2276 IU per cup).
• They are also high in potassium and also contain some vitamin B-complexes.
• Loquats are a good source of minerals, including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
• They have a low Glycemic Load Index of 4.

According to Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D., the loquat leaves are also:

"...beneficial to the vital energy of the lungs. It dissolves and expectorates phlegm and alleviates cough. Relieving coughing and vomiting. The flesh promotes the secretion of body fluids and eliminates thirst. The tender leaves are used for various types of coughs but the under side is usually prepared by rubbing the hairs off so they do not irritate the throat."

How to Eat Loquat Fruits

Not-yet-ripe loquats still in their green stage

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Where Can Loquat Trees Be Found?

Although the loquat originated from southeastern China, Japan is actually the leading producer of loquats. Loquat trees are also commonly found in Brazil and Israel. Surprisingly, they are now quite common in California!

In California, you can see them commonly lined along the coastal areas from San Diego to Sacramento. The fruits are now grown in many farm gardens such as Brentwood, California.

The fruits are usually harvested between the months of March to June. Harvesting these fruits can be somewhat labor-intensive for farmers since it is difficult to handle the fragile clusters of fruits. They also have a shorter shelf life. Thus, it limits the loquat fruit as a major commercial fruit.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Kim Lam

Comments on Loquat Frutis and Loquat Trees

Syed Zahir Shah on April 15, 2020:

I have planted 3 loquat plants in my home. All the 3 have produced which have started ripening. I broke few toady for the first time and ate with my grandsons. These were delicious.

Reid McBride on May 07, 2019:

We live on the coast of South Carolina and Loquat trees are prevalent in this area. Our tree is full of beautiful fruit, but no one around here knows what to do with it. I tried one yesterday, and it was delicious...like an orange, but better.

Sam R. on April 23, 2019:

Within 30 mins after i ate about 10 i had to use the bathroom so excellent fiber source.

Sissy C. on March 11, 2019:

Loquats grow well in Louisiana too! Won't be long now and we will be enjoying the "fruits of our labor" I grow my trees from seeds and gift them to friends as well. They are really starting to catch on in this area. These are wonderful to eat.

Bob harvey melbourne australia on October 31, 2018:

Looking forward to my ripening fruit .tree is laden

Irene on February 14, 2018:

interesting. we do have them all over in California

william Frinchaboy on April 30, 2016:

I am a gardener, plant scientist, trained in "fruit and vine science " many years ago. I've love loquats since childhood. However, after it is overripe and still on the tree, it gets moldy. Trees are covered with a black powder that start with the fruit. This mold is Aspergillus Flavins and this fungi produces aflatoxins which are very carcinogenic. The cure is to knock off or pick all of the fruit soon after the fruit has become overripe. The mold cannot thrive without moisture and sugars.

Liaquat khan on April 03, 2015:

Here in Pakistan Loquat trees have started bearing fruit my home rear garden is colourful with Loquat we enjoyed fresh loquat direct from trees during drizzling

Kim Lam (author) from California on May 03, 2013:

anglnwu- Hi! they're so refreshing right? Spring is the prime season too and we have massive loquat trees lined up on every street!

bhatti- You're so right! We actually do leave some for the squirrels. As you can see we left a few clusters for them haha! Funny thing is...they take a few bites and throw them all on the ground. So wasteful! :-) Thanks for stopping by!

bhatti on May 03, 2013:

wow nice article. ... i am sitting here in Pakistan, tooo far to taste this fruit from your garden....but please next time don't tie one cluster and leave it for squirrels........ u r so generous to your friends... pls a little show to this tiny nice innocent creature..........GOD Bless u

anglnwu on May 02, 2013:

I never had loquats until a friend gave me some the other day. I must say I love it and that piqued my curiosity. I'm thinking of writing a hub about it but you've covered it so well, I may have to reconsider. Thanks for sharing and rated up.

amanda on March 18, 2013:

They also grow everywere in florida too and the are good.

mecheshier on May 31, 2012:

You are most welcome

Kim Lam (author) from California on May 31, 2012:

Thanks vellur, mecheshier!

mecheshier on May 29, 2012:

Nice Hub. Great pics and info. Loquats are fabulous if you can find them.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on May 29, 2012:

I would love to try one after reading your hub. Thanks for sharing.

Kim Lam (author) from California on May 28, 2012:

I would send the next jar of Loquat preserves to you...along with a branch of the fresh ones too. :-)

Cynthia Calhoun from Western NC on May 28, 2012:

I live on the East Coast, so I haven't seen a loquat tree, but I have to tell you that it is INCREDIBLY FUN when you discover something just growing anywhere that you can eat and that is incredibly good for you. Yum!! I'd love to try this. Hmm, someone needs to start making Loquat preserves and ship them east! :D

Kim Lam (author) from California on May 28, 2012:

Sorry to hear that Leah! I think New York's weather is too extreme for loquat trees. Hopefully you can find them the next time you visit CA.

Thanks for stopping by.

Leah Lefler from Western New York on May 28, 2012:

I grew up in California and am rather sad, because I never tried a loquat! I can't find them in Western NY (and sadly, the trees wouldn't grow here). Great hub!