Although the fruits of the ornamental quince are not poisonous, they should still not be eaten raw. Because ornamental quinces, like the larger fruits, are very hard and quite sour. However, you can make delicious things from it.
What can you do with ornamental quince fruits?
Ornamental quince fruits are inedible raw, but when cooked they are suitable for making jelly, jam or liqueur. They harmonize well with other fruits such as apples, pears, strawberries, peaches and apricots and can be used as a seasoning in sauces and Asian dishes.
What do ornamental quinces taste like?
Ornamental quinces contain a lot of vitamin C and taste very sour. They make a good substitute for lemon juice. They also have a slightly bitter taste, which gives the dishes prepared with them a very special note. For this reason, ornamental quinces should also be used sparingly as a seasoning.
What can you do with the fruits?
Quince jelly is primarily made into jelly. They are also ideal for a mixed jam to tone down the sweetness of other fruits. Ornamental quinces contain a lot of pectin, which makes jam and jelly nice and firm. Add a little quince juice to other types of jam to use this effect.
You can prepare a delicate liqueur from quinces. The slightly bitter taste of quinces stimulates the appetite. A little cinnamon softens the bitterness and honey provides a mild sweetness. Enjoy this liqueur slightly chilled as an aperitif or with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Using a puree made from the grated fruit is an excellent way to season and thicken sauces and Asian dishes. Freshly grated, the puree should always be used immediately. Due to the high vitamin C content, it turns brown quickly.
Which fruits go well with ornamental quinces?
If the taste of the ornamental quinces in jam or a liqueur is too intense for you, then mix the quinces with other fruits, for example with sweet peaches, crunchy apricots or, traditionally, with strawberries. The mixture looks very harmonious with apples or pears. However, these should have little acid, which is more the case with apples.
Tips for using the ornamental quince:
- do not eat raw
- cook into jelly or jam
- Juice as a substitute for lemon juice
- make delicate liqueur
- harmonize well with apples, pears, strawberries, peaches and apricots
Tip
Spice your quince jelly or liqueur with a little apple brandy or cinnamon and cloves. Quinces are a wonderful way to experiment with taste.
