Quinces are one of the oldest fruit crops in our regions. They were mentioned in writing as early as the eighth century. Hildegard von Bingen, the famous healer and mystic of the Middle Ages, points out the positive aspects and healing effects of quince several times in her writings. Apple quinces are currently experiencing a renaissance. But which varieties are particularly tasty?
Which apple quince varieties are particularly tasty?
Popular apple quince varieties are Constantinople, Leskovac giant quince, Cydonia apple quince and Champion apple quince. They are characterized by their hard, aromatic pulp, various fruit sizes and shapes, and resistance to frost.
How do I recognize an apple quince?
This quince has a rounded, usually heavily furrowed shape. The flesh is rather hard and dry, but more aromatic than that of the pear quince varieties.
The most common varieties
- Konstantinopler: Very old quince variety that probably comes from the Caucasus region and has been cultivated in Germany for centuries. It grows medium strong and upright. The sparsely branched crown is wide and spreading, which is beneficial for the ripening of the fruits. The flesh is white to yellowish in color.
- Giant quince from Leskovac: This variety bears particularly large fruits. The golden yellow shell is covered with a very fine fuzz. The aromatic, white flesh retains its beautiful color even when cooked. This apple quince is extremely resistant to frost. The tree grows upright and should be trimmed regularly. The Leskovac giant quince bears slightly earlier than other varieties, its fruits are already ripe in mid-October.
- Cydonia apple quince: It bears medium to large fruits that look very interesting due to their irregular shape. Although it is an apple quince, they sometimes visually resemble pear quinces. They have a heavy felting. The flesh is yellowish-white and tastes extremely aromatic and slightly sour when cooked.
- Champion Apple Quince: This variety was bred in New York around 1875. Although it is an apple quince with the typically firm flesh, the fruits are pear-shaped. The shell is thin and only slightly felted. The aroma is very fine and exquisite.
A culinary delight
The extremely hard flesh of the apple quince is unsuitable for raw consumption. Only after cooking and processing into jelly, juice, puree or spirits does the unique aroma develop.
Tip
Even if you don't want to use the fruit, quince trees make a fragrant garden decoration. Since they are very robust and require little care, they are ideal for anyone who appreciates attractive garden trees that require little maintenance.
