My contribution to Weekend Herb Blogging (hosted by Scott of the The Real Epicurean) this week is all about the calamansi.
Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa – this is the scientific name, notice how a scientific name is written?) is a type of citrus that is native to the Philippines. It is also known as calamondin, Panama orange or acid orange. It is very sour hence its popularity as souring agent for sinigang and sawsawan (dipping sauces). It is also one of the more common backyard trees in Philippine homes (along with papaya and guava). One can use it in marinades as well, and in fact, it goes well with soy sauce and lemongrass for marinating meats for grills. It is a deodorizer too, notice that your hand smells fishy after handling fish? Just rub calamansi juice! It is also incorporated in soaps and lotions and shampoos.
For more uses of calamansi: 13 ways to use calamansi.
And check out this calamansi chronicles from Burnt Lumpia. That’s how we Filipinos love calamansi 
Sawadee kha! My name is Gay a.k.a. A Scientist in the Kitchen. Science and cooking are two of my passions. I'm a corn breeder who also loves to eat and cook. My kitchen is in Phitsanulok, Thailand where I am based together with Pasta (yes, I love Italian food!) my black labrador retriever.
Kalamansi at toyo was always at our dinner table (even when it doesn’t make sense). Nothing like a sour and salty dip to make everything taste better.
Man… I’m jealous that I don’t have a calamansi tree (which is hard to come across here in Chicago!
Very interesting. I haven’t heard of this before.
Just wanted to let you know that the Grow Your Own roundup is now up on the Crispy Cook. Thank you for your tasty entry.
too funny. we have exactly the 3 trees you mentioned in our backyard in Cebu … kalamansi, guava and papaya! LOL…
How I wish we could grow calamansi here. Oh, our own stash of calamansi! I dream.
I miss calamansi and dalandan – 2 citrus fruits I can’t find in Minnesota. Sigh.
I love calamansi and it’s good that it’s always available in Manila. However, I am looking for dayap. Is there anybody you know who sells dayap in Laguna?
Hi Corrine, can’t find dayap here in Laguna regularly. We have a plant at home but it has yet to bear fruit. Can’t wait.
Please provide me on how to grow a calamansi tree/plant because I have a British friend and he wants to grow a calamansi on his green yard at England. Chris from Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Hi Chris, it’s quite easy here in the Philippines because the climate is suited for growing calamansi. I’m not so sure if it would grow well in England.
anu pa ba ang gamit ng calamansi aside from sawsawan?
Pwede pang-asim ng sinigang; yung iba, as calamansi cake imbes na lemon cake. Pampaalis din ng langsa/lansa ang calamansi.
Pwede nyo ba akong tulongan maghanap ng uses of calamansi gaya ng calamansi whitening soap
can i use calamansi as alternative for lemon juice?
Calamansi is sometimes available here in Eastern North Carolina. And I love it in my Cuba Libras vs. the traditional lime. It makes a very BIG difference.
calamansi can be use also as hand sanitizer?.
is there any way that calamansi can be use as a direct hand
washing agent?
I’m not so sure. We do use kalamansi to remove the lansa after cleaning fish. I think it’s too acidic to use as hand wash.
Great Post. I didn’t know about the calamansi at all, but now I have a few basic facts. I’d actually like to know where I could hunt down a tree.. I live in Houston and that’s a similar climate to where these are native. I think it’d be pretty! And I love citrus.
-Sylvia
Well written and really informative. I am happy you took the time to publish this since it was really useful.
Calamansi is not native tyo the philippines or anywhere else. It is a hybrid of the kumquat and the tangerine. Noone knows who introduced it
hey,, im always right so.. u better listen 4 wat im about to type:
I decided to list few of the uses of Calamansi.
1) Juice. Squeeze halved calamansi (4 to 5 pieces, but it depends on the user) to a cup. Strain it. Add honey or sugar. It’s a good source of vitamin C.
2) Zinger for ginger tea. Ginger tea + 1 tbsp calamansi juice + honey/sugar.
3) Tequila shots. Others use lemon, but mostly we use calamansi here.
4) Natural Air Freshener. Halved calamansi and put them in a bowl. Their peelings could do the trick, too.
5) Deodorizer. Can be placed in the fridge to eliminate odor. Or say you’ve just finished cleaning some fish (or handling something unpleasant in smell), you may rub some to eliminate the icky odor.
6) Skin whitening Agent. Definitely good for the dark knees and elbows and armpits…
7) Dip. Basic Filipino Dip = soysauce, calamansi (optional vinegar)
9) Dandruff Treatment. Cover halved calamansi with a cloth (prevents the pulp from getting stuck in your hair). Rub gently to the scalp.
10) Bleach. Its juice is proven to remove minor stains on clothes.
11) When we – my bros and sisters – were still kids, we would carefully peel and part its segments, and devour them as if they’re the sweetest thing on earth.
12) Hair highlights. In a punk, funky mood? Comb calamansi juice through the hair or into some strands and leave it there. The sun will lighten the strands faster, giving the hair a sun-streaked look. (I have not actually done this, but I have friends who have tried this trick.)
=D is it so.. luv it!! <3
Ok, ok…
Thanks for the added info.
I have had a fruit bearing Calamansi tree in a pot for over 20 years. I had it in Indiana for 13 years (indoors of course). Don’t let the cold climate stop you from enjoying this beautiful plant. There are several places online that will ship the seeds to you. I found my tree at a tourist stand in Daytona Beach, FL. They are sold as miniature orange trees.
pahiram na pic mo ha, hehehe!
Ok!!!
Can calamasi be found or grown in Jamaica?
Can I get Calamansi in Jamaica?
I’m not sute about that.
I WAS USED CALAMANSI FOR DIETING OR LOSING OF WEIGHT BUT I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S TOTALLY TRUE BUT MY TEACHER TOLD ME THAT THIS WILL HELP ME OF LOSING WEIGHT……JEJEJE