Calamansi Citrus Vinegar - Vinegar

Kalamansi Vinegar from Belberry's Royal Selection

Kalamansi Citrus Vinegar is a Belgian fruit vinegar made with the juice of the Philippine Kalamansi — a cross between a mandarin and a kumquat. Sweet-sour, fragrant, less acidic than a lemon. For drinks, fish, poultry, and dessert.

Kalamansi Vinegar from Belberry is a fruity-clear fruit vinegar from the Royal Selection line, produced in Kortrijk in West Flanders. In the 200 ml bottle, you'll find a white wine vinegar with the juice of the Kalamansi — a small, cherry-sized citrus fruit from the Philippines, which looks like a mini-lime and tastes like a mandarin.

Floral, sweet-sour, and milder than a lemon

The Kalamansi, botanically Citrofortunella microcarpa, is a cross between a kumquat and a mandarin. Its juice is florally fragrant, tastes mildly sour with a sweet undertone and a fine bitter note from the peel. The vinegar carries this profile to the palate: fruity, refreshing, with a citrus depth that is unexpectedly surprising.

In the glass, the Kalamansi Citrus Vinegar appears golden-yellow and clear, noticeably rounder on the palate than a classic lemon vinegar. Sweet-sour, slightly floral, with a finish reminiscent of mandarin peel — a vinegar that is particularly at home in light, modern cuisine.

We like it with ceviche, poultry, and cocktails

Kalamansi is ubiquitous in Filipino cuisine: with seafood, adobo, grilled meats. The vinegar translates this tradition into our kitchen — with ceviche of white fish, roasted chicken, or in a marinade of soy sauce, oil, and a few drops of Kalamansi vinegar for wok dishes.

We especially like this vinegar in cold dishes: as a finish over pineapple and avocado carpaccio, over sashimi, or in a vinaigrette for mixed green salads with citrus segments. We also enjoy it in dessert — a few drops over coconut sorbet or white chocolate mousse add a bright, fruity highlight.

We particularly recommend it for cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks: a teaspoon in sparkling wine, gin and tonic, or a tonic with lime zest — the Kalamansi brings a sweetness to the glass that lime does not have. Shake before use, store in a cool, dark place after opening.

Kortrijk, Kalamansi, and a royal history

Belberry Fine Food Creators is based in Kortrijk, West Flanders. In 1956, André Vandererfven took over a small gourmet shop from the late 19th century and began producing his own goods. His son Thierry has been expanding the Royal Selection line since 1990 — jams, fruit sauces, ketchups, and fruit vinegars, all without preservatives.

Kalamansi grows mainly in the Philippines, with the province of Bukidnon and the Mindanao region considered the main growing areas. It is harvested almost all year round; the fruit is picked green, then ripens on the tree to a delicate orange peel. Because it is so small — about cherry-sized — it takes many hands for little juice, which makes products like this vinegar a small treasure trove.

The citrus marmalades, which Queen Paola particularly enjoys, have earned Belberry the title of purveyor to the Belgian royal family. All due respect. If you'd like to try their range, you can find the complete Belberry assortment here — for example, the Japanese Yuzu Vinegar, the Cameroon Mango Vinegar, or other fruit vinegars from our range.