Kumquat Lemon Butter-Cream Cheese Bagel

For our Kumquat Lemon Butter-Cream Cheese Bagel, we start with the fundamentals: carefully selected premium flour, crafted with a Japanese-style milling approach and naturally leavened fermentation. This gives the bagel a clean wheat aroma, a well-developed structure, and that signature chewy resilience—firm yet tender, satisfying to bite into without feeling dry or heavy.
The filling is built around two citrus highlights: calamansi (calamondin) puree and diced lemon. The calamansi puree brings a bright, transparent citrus tang that instantly wakes up the palate, while the diced lemon keeps its subtle peel bitterness and crisp fruit texture, adding depth beyond simple “sweet and sour.” With real fruit pieces throughout, each bite delivers layered citrus character—fresh, lively, and lingering in a pleasantly clean finish.
To balance the citrus and elevate the mouthfeel, we anchor the filling with rich, silky Anchor cream cheese, then round it out with the warm aroma of pure dairy butter. The cream cheese provides smooth, dense creaminess; the butter contributes a fuller, more fragrant richness. Together, they lightly envelop the citrus fruit, creating a refined harmony of brightness and creaminess—refreshing but not sharp, indulgent yet never cloying—perfect for an energizing breakfast or a polished afternoon treat.