What fruit is quince?

The quince is a fruit tree native to Asia Minor, already known in 2000 BC and formerly cultivated by the Greeks and Babylonians. There QuinceThe fruit is bright yellow in color and has the shape of an apple bitorzoluta more or less elongated, with thick and bumpy skin.

For this reason, many mistakenly believe that the quince is a cross between an apple tree and a pear tree. But is not so. The quince, unlike the Malus he was born in Pyrusbelongs to the genus Cydonia and its botanical name is Cydonia Oblonga.

The quince, an ancient and healthy fruit

The quince is a wild fruit treevery ancient, therefore resistant e easy to grow. Today its production is widespread mainly in the western Mediterranean and in China, but in the past also in our country, and above all in the areas of northern Italy, the quince has found a climate and land favorable to wild development.

The cultivation of the quince tree has in fact intertwined the destinies of many cities between Veneto and Lombardy. In particular, a Codognèalso known as city ​​of quinceand in the neighboring countryside the cultivation of quince has become one of the most important in Italy with about 1,800/2,000 quintals of quinces produced out of a total of 4,500 nationally.

How to eat quince

Excellent are obtained from the processing of the quince jams, mustards and preserves as well as the traditional quince jelly, sweets and cakes consumed mainly in the winter and Christmas period. This is because the quince it is an autumn fruit. It is harvested from the end of September and throughout the month of October.

Cruda or cotta?

The quince can be eaten both raw and cooked, dried and boiled. It is generally processed because the fruit has a firm and fairly acidic pulp, but a few small pieces of raw quince added to a vegetable or fruit salad is also digestive stimulant.

Consumed fresh it is also a natural remedy for liverto treat anemia and to strengthen the health of teeth and gums because it is rich in iron, potassium and magnesium, therefore mineral salts, but also vitamins and antioxidants.

What are quinces good for?

Finding quinces at the fruit stand is increasingly rare. These are an ancient fruit and like all ancient fruits they have been almost forgotten by farmers in favor of more commercial qualities. It just so happens, however, that the quince is also a fruit full of health benefits e great natural remedy for a diverse range of ailments such as:

• sensitive, oily skin and enlarged pores. Deeply moisturizes the epidermis counteracts ageing cellular thanks to the presence of antioxidants;
• gastrointestinal problems e constipation. Thanks to the supply of fibres, the fruit helps the stomach, intestines and improves digestion;
• respiratory difficulties e inflammation of the cardiovascular system. Quinces naturally contain all those elements that are valid for preventing the ailments of the cold season, especially colds and bronchitis;
• sluggish immune system e tiredness.