Do You Know the Quince?

Quince trees used to be common place. They are easy to grow and produce wonderful pink blossoms that turn into delicious yellow fruit. Oh yes, they are delicious but they require cooking before eating. Here's an article with some quince recipe links to get you started. And the fruit is also wonderfully high in natural pectin making it a perfect addition to any homemade preserves.

But to get you appreciating the beauty of this tree, here are some pictures of the blooms and its fruit. If looking for this variety, it is a Russian variety named, "Aromatnaya."

Buds just opening - Notice the large green sepals? They make the blooms look very rose-like.

Quince flower buds

Fully open blooms - The picture doesn't do the blooms justice. They are more pink and rose-like in appearance. The leaves have a silver fuzz to them. 

Quince blossoms

Immature fruit - The young fruit still bear the green sepals that were so prominent on the blooms. The fruit already has its distinctive yellow color. The fuzz on the fruit stays until it is manually rubbed off the mature fruits.  

Immature quince fruit

Mature fruit - Late in the season, October here in Western NY, the fruit are ready for harvest. The fruits of this variety are larger than most apples. 

Mature quince fruit