They are big, fruity-sweet, he althy and simply delicious! The fruits of the hardy medlar are relatively unknown as fruits and yet are a true delicacy. But have they developed their full aroma and can they be harvested?
When is the harvest time for medlars?
The harvest time for medlars is in late autumn, between the beginning of November and the beginning of December, after a continuous period of frost. Some varieties can even ripen between September and October. Frost makes the fruits soft and sweet and sour, tart and nutty in taste.
The frost does it
Medlars taste best after a period of continuous frost. After frost, the fruits are buttery soft. Beforehand they are hard and less tasty. The frost causes the astringent tannins it contains to break down.
In late autumn between the beginning of November and the beginning of December, the medlars are ready to harvest and are raw and processed, non-toxic and edible. Some varieties ripen between September and October. When ripe they are:
- sweet-sour, tart, nutty
- colored rust brown
- cannot be stored for long (up to 14 days when hard)
Tips & Tricks
Those who are hasty can reap the rewards before the frost. When they are hard, they can be put in the freezer and exposed to an artificial period of frost.