Wednesday 4 November 2015

QUINCES

The quince (Cydonia oblonga) is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae (which also contains apples and pears, among other fruits). It is a small deciduous tree that bears a pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear, and bright golden-yellow when mature.

Throughout history the cooked fruit has been used as food, but the tree is also grown for its attractive pale pink blossom and other ornamental qualities. The tree grows 5 to 8 metres high and 4 to 6 metres wide. The fruit is 7 to 12 centimetres long and 6 to 9 centimetres across. It is native to rocky slopes and woodland margins in South-west Asia, Turkey and Iran although it can be grown successfully at latitudes as far north as Scotland.

The immature fruit is green with dense grey-white pubescence, most of which rubs off before maturity in late autumn when the fruit changes colour to yellow with hard, strongly perfumed flesh. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, 6–11 cm long, with an entire margin and densely pubescent with fine white hairs. The flowers, produced in spring after the leaves, are white or pink, 5 cm across, with five petals.

Quince jam, jelly, paste and stewed fruit are all quite delicious and easily made. Quinces are also used as an ingredient in savoury food. You can find several recipes here.

This post is part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme.



8 comments:

  1. Pretty blooms. It is a new fruit to me, the jam looks delicious. Enjoy your day!

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  2. Wonderful.... a friend of mine has such trees in her garden and she makes different things from it.... all even tasty !

    Have a nice abc-day / - week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ <abc-w-team)

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  3. I love quince jelly with crumbly Cheshire cheese and crusty bread,
    Interesting post about the Quince,
    Best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

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  4. So that is what a quince tree looks like. I haven't ever tasted quince jelly. Looks delicious! I like how you show us where it comes from, then what you are talking about and finish with how we can eat it. Nicely done!!!!

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  5. pretty flower and fruits there.

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  6. I've STILL never had one.

    ROG, ABCW

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  7. I've never seen or tried the actual fruit, but my dad adored quince jelly and once in a rare while would let me taste it.
    Thanks for the memories, and thanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/11/waiting-for-metro.html

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  8. That's a new one for me, but I always wanted to try quince pie (probably not much change in California). Thanks for the info!

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