This question can be answered with “yes” without reservation. The fruits even contain a lot of vitamin C. However, they are so hard when raw that eating them is not really enjoyable. How you can process ornamental quinces.
Are Japanese quinces edible and usable?
Japanese quinces are edible and rich in vitamin C, but very hard and sour when raw. They are suitable for making jelly by boiling ripe fruits, passing them through a sieve and mixing them with preserving sugar.
Mock quinces are not poisonous
Japanese and Chinese quinces produce fruits approximately five centimeters in size. The ornamental quinces are quite sour and very hard even when ripe, so they are not suitable for eating raw.
In addition to vitamin C, they contain a lot of pectin. The juice of the quince can be used as a substitute for lemon juice. However, it is not easy to squeeze the fruit to obtain significant amounts of juice.
When are ornamental quinces ripe and can they be harvested?
Only when the fruits have taken on a rich yellow or reddish color are they ready to harvest. The degree of ripeness can also be recognized by the aromatic scent of the fruit.
Harvest the fruits you want to process as late as possible. The aroma develops best when the ornamental quinces have received some frost. They should then be harvested immediately and consumed straight away.
Quine jelly
- Use ripe quinces
- Wash the fruit and cut it once
- Cooking with seeds and peel
- Put through a sieve
- Mix the mixture with preserving sugar
- Boiling
- Fill into glasses
By cooking the seeds and peel, the jelly becomes very solid later. The ratio of ornamental quince mass and preserving sugar is 1:1. You should not use less sugar so that the jelly is sweet enough.
Japanese or Chinese quince jelly tastes different than normal quince jelly. The “Cido” variety, an almost thornless ornamental quince variety, is particularly suitable for making jelly.
Store ornamental quinces
Raw quinces harvested before the first frost can be stored for many weeks without them spoiling. Store in a cool, dark place.
Birds also like quinces
You can also leave the fruits on the bush. There they serve as additional food for the local birds in winter.
Tips & Tricks
: Ripe Chinese and Japanese ornamental quinces exude an intense scent. Why not place one or two quinces among the laundry in the linen cupboard. This means that bed linen and towels lose the often unpleasant closet smell.
