While quinces can be eaten raw, they are not often eaten raw due to their tartness and tough skin. Its flavor is compared to a combination of crisp pears and tart apples. Cooked quinces have a sweeter, more delicate flavor and a softer texture than raw quinces.
Where does the Quince fruit come from and where does it grow?
Quince is native to places like Western Asia, Turkey, Georgia, northern Iran, Armenia, and Afghanistan. However, it can be grown successfully and thrive in places as far north as Scotland. Turkey is the top producer, with China right behind it.
They do grow in the United States as well, but the only state that grows commercial quantities now is California, in the San Joaquin valley. It used to be grown commercially in the North-Eastern states. South America grows quite a few quince fruits too.
As far as the home gardener goes, the trees are hardy and can be grown in the agricultural zones 5 through 9. They can even be grown here in Phoenix.
Easy Baked Quince Recipe
Now for my favorite quince recipe, which is just simply baking it.
All you need are 5 simple ingredients for this yummy baked quince fruit recipe:
- Quince – They will ripen a little bit off the tree, but develop the best flavor when picked at peak ripeness off the tree.
- Lemon juice or orange juice – which will help keep it from browning and give it extra flavor.
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Butter
Tools
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Peeler
- Bowl
- Pie pan or roasting pan
Begin by peeling the quince fruit and cutting off the ends. Cut them in half and then dig out the core. You can use an apple peeler/corer as well for these if you like.
Place the quince in a bowl and pour the lemon juice or orange juice over them. Especially while you are cutting/coring the other half.
Add the quince halves to a pie pan or roasting pan. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together and then sprinkle it on top of the quince halves.
Add a dollop of butter to each half.
Preheat the oven to 375 F/190 C. Bake them for 40 to 45 minutes until they are nice and soft and fork tender. Depending on the variety of quince when you cook it, it can turn an orangish color.
Allow it to cool for a few minutes before eating it. You can top it with ice cream or whipped cream as well, if you like.
This is just one of many quince recipes out there. Enjoy!
You Can Eat Raw Quince, & Uncooked Tejocote Fruit! Taste Testing
FAQ
Does quince fruit have to be cooked?
What’s the best way to eat quince?
What happens if you don’t cook quince?
What does raw quince taste like?
Can you eat quince raw?
When quince is grown in tropical climates the rind is not as dense and wooly and the fruit, less acidic, softer, and juicier. To eat a quince raw, cut a very ripe fruit into thin slivers. They should smell flowery and have a very floral flavor. Eating bitter quince is likely to give you a stomach upset, so should really be avoided.
How do you eat quince?
One traditional method is to peel and cut the raw fruit, soak it in salted water, and eat the slices after a couple of hours. It’s an acquired taste! More common is to use cooked quince as dessert or as part of a savory entrée. Cooking quinces low and slow is the usual and best method.
What does quince taste like?
Quince is a golden fruit that resembles a cross between an apple and a pear. In hot countries, the fruits are often juicy and soft, but North American and European quince tend to have a tough rind and bitter, astringent flesh. This makes it rather unpleasant to eat raw.
Are quince fruits edible?
All quince fruits are, technically speaking, edible, although some varieties are incredibly tart, such as the Japanese quince which is really only meant to be an ornamental shrub. These can still be used in cooking to make jams or jellies, but it is generally better to use cultivars designed for fruit production.