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 
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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