Quince is very similar to a pear and it is a bright golden-yellow color when it matures. Quince is a number of the genus Cydonia and from the family of "Rosaceae",it is a deciduous tree that bears pome fruit. This fruit is used as food in history and the tree has an attractive pale pink blossom and other ornamental qualities. This fruit tree grows 5 to 8m(16 to 26 ft) high and 4 to 6m(13 to 20 ft) wide. When the fruit is not matured,it will be green with dense grey white fine hair which some of it goes off before they matures in late autumn when the fruit changes its color to yellow with hard,strongly perfumed flesh.
Quince was cultivated from an archaic period around the Mediterranean. This fruit can accepts both shade and sun but there should be sunlight in order to produce larger flowers and ensure the fruit is ripe. Quince fruit does not require much maintenance and it tolerates years without pruning or major insect and problems of diseases. It is very hard which adapts to many soils of low to medium PH. Quince is cultivated on all continents in warm temperate and temperates climates. They are harvested in late autumn before first frost.
This fruit are grown in central and southern areas in Europe where the summers are cool hot for the fruits to fully ripen. They are not grown in large amount but one or two quince trees are grown in a mixed orchard with other apples and fruits trees. Quince,because of the aroma and flavor,they are appreciated but there are some quince that are too hard and are tart to eat raw,Quince are cooked or roasted and are used for jams,marmalade,jellies or pudding. There are some kinds of quince that can be eaten raw and they are "Aromatnaya" and "Kuganskaya". When quince are prepared as jelly, it tastes like a cross between an Apple and a pear. Sometimes,it smells like a tropical fruit. In addition, quince is one of the earliest known fruits and similar to what apple and pear were like in their ancient forms. For more than 4,000 years,quince trees have grown in Asia and Mediterranean. The quince is also found in Latin America, the Middle East and the United states but it is not so important like that of pear or apple. Quince oxidizes gradually once cut and they must be preserved in acidulated water to prevent the colors from changing. They tend to hold their shape so they are ideal for poaching,stewing or baking as a desert.
Once the quince is cooked, it is soft and tender with a really lovely syrup from the cooking process. You can eat the fruit straight or pour it over yoghurt or bake it into a tart.
HOW TO COOK A QUINCE
After cutting the quince,place it into a large bowl of water to prevent browning.
Make the poaching liquid and add any kind of flavor.
Mix together with 4 cups of water,1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of honey in a large saucepan
Bring to a simmer,stir it until the sugar is dissolved
Add the quince and cover very well,then cook for 40 to 50 minutes or until the quince is turning pink and is tender
When the quince is pink and tender,turn off the heat and you can strain and use right away or put inside the refrigerator for up to 7 days
BENEFITS OF QUINCE FRUIT
Quince fruit that is ripe is a rich source of Vitamin C and it helps to boost immunity and also aids in treating inflammatory conditions
The fruit and seed that is extracted can be used to teat atopic dermatitis and cystitis.
Quince has a low calories and it is good for weight loss
It helps in treating patients with peptic ulcers as it soothes the gastrointestinal
When you mix quince with honey,it helps to treat colitis, diarrhea, constipation and intestinal infections
Quince syrup is used to treat hemorrhoids
It prevents cardiovascular diseases and strokes
It treats nausea and vomiting
Quince fruits helps to protect against colds,flues and other viral pathogens
It helps in lowering blood pressure
When you take quince regularly, it helps to lower bad cholesterol in the blood also keeping the heart healthy
It helps to fight against free radicals and destroy malignant cancer cells in the body
It relieves stress
It treats liver and eye problems
It helps incl curing hoarseness of the throat and other ailments