Botany – What kind of plant is this?
The medlar is a small tree with furry-brown fruits. These are particularly striking due to their long sepals that remain attached to the fruit. Medlar trees and shrubs often grow somewhat crooked and lopsided. However, some reach an age of 100 years or more. During flowering, a medlar tree is also a true feast for the eyes. The numerous white blossoms then cover the entire tree. The medlar belongs to the rose family.
Cultural history – How did the medlar come to us?
In the Middle Ages, the medlar was widespread in southern and central Europe. It originally came from the Middle East, southeastern, and southern Europe. Driven by Roman settlement, the medlar was finally brought to Central Europe. There, it quickly gained the upper hand in the fruit trees of medieval monastery and farm gardens and enjoyed great popularity everywhere. Even Emperor Charlemagne could not resist and ordered its cultivation on his estates. Due to their high tannin content, the fruits were particularly sought after, as they reduced the cloudiness of wine, apple, and pear juice and also improved their shelf life. However, the medlar is only suitable for processing into jam or compote, for example, after a few nights of frost. This is necessary to break down the tannins and transform the previously hard fruits into soft, aromatic, fruity fruits. Once ripe, medlars have a limited shelf life and lose their valuable nutrients very quickly.
Varieties – Which are recommended?
The most popular varieties include:
- Hungarian: Shrubby growth; weak; early ripening (September); very productive
- Nottingham: medium-strong growth; early ripening; yellowish fruits with dark flesh; for moist soils
- Dutch large-fruited: vigorous growth; high yield; large and aromatic fruits; laurel-like leaves
- Seedless: medium-strong growth; high yield; small, tasty, seedless fruits
- Macrocarpa: vigorous; large-fruited
- Royal: shrubby growth; medium strength; high yield
TEXT: Carina Naeve
