Quince

History and origin

Quince, the fruit of the quince tree, has been cultivated for 4,000 years in Persia and Anatolia. The Greeks enjoyed it with honey, while the Romans, lovers of sweet and sour foods, cooked it in a stew or with leeks, as suggested by the gastronome Apicius. He also served in perfumery in Rome. Very popular in Europe and Central Asia in the 17th and 18th centuries, quince has lost its popularity. Today, although the quince tree is widespread in Europe, only a few varieties are grown for their fruit, while others serve as rootstock for pear trees.

Variety and cultivation

Quince, a robust fruit with few varieties (champion, vranja, bourgeault), requires heat and sun to fully ripen on the tree in the fall. Cultivated in France in small orchards in the South-East and North-East, the quince tree resists disease well and prefers drained soil.

Did you know?

In Greek mythology, the quince tree and its fragrant fruits were dedicated to the goddess of love, Venus. According to tradition, the famous “golden apples of the Hesperides”, which Hercules had to conquer, were in fact quinces.