Quinces are among the oldest fruit crops in our region. They were mentioned in writing as early as the eighth century. Hildegard von Bingen, the famous healer and mystic of the Middle Ages, repeatedly refers to the positive aspects and healing properties of quince in her writings. Apple quinces are currently experiencing a renaissance. But which varieties are particularly tasty?
Apple quince is not equal to apple quince
How do I recognize an apple quince?
This quince has a rounded, usually heavily grooved shape. The flesh is rather hard and dry, but more aromatic than that of the pear quince variety.
The most common varieties
- Konstantinopler: Very old quince variety, which probably comes from the Caucasus region and has been cultivated in Germany for centuries. It grows medium strong and upright. The sparsely branched crown is wide and spreading, which benefits the ripening of the fruit. The flesh is white to yellowish in colour.
- Giant quince from Leskovac: This variety bears particularly large fruits. The golden yellow skin is covered with a very fine down. The aromatic, white flesh retains its beautiful color even when cooked. This apple quince is extremely frost-resistant. The tree grows upright and should be trimmed regularly. The Leskovac giant quince bears fruit a little earlier than other varieties, its fruits are already ripe in mid-October.
- Cydonia apple quince: It bears medium-sized to large fruits, which are very interesting due to their irregular shape. Although it is an apple quince, they sometimes look like pear quinces. They wear a strong felting. The flesh is yellowish-white and tastes extremely aromatic when cooked.
- Champion Apple Quince: This variety was bred in New York around 1875. Despite being an apple quince with the typically firm flesh, the fruits are pear-shaped. The shell is thin and only lightly felted. The aroma is very delicate and exquisite.
A culinary delight
The extremely hard flesh of the apple quince is unsuitable for raw consumption. Only after cooking and processing into jelly, juice, mousse or spirits does the unique aroma unfold.
tips
Even if you don't want to use the fruit, quince trees can be used as fragrant garden ornaments. Since they are very robust and require little maintenance, they are ideal for anyone who appreciates attractive garden trees that require little maintenance.