Just harvested! Organic Japanese Quince (Marumero) fruit. Chaenomeles japonica var. cathayensis.
In Japan, Marumero is cut and diced with rock sugar and a spirit (usually Brandy) to make a liqueur called MarumeroShu (photo 5). I use aprox 20% rock sugar to fruit weight. You can add more sugar later on to your taste preference.
The fruit can also be cut and diced into a jar and marinated with honey. The honey taking on the aromatic flavour of the quince and the quince taking on the flavour of the honey (photo 6).
Marumero contain more pectin than apples and european quinces, so can be used to aid setting of low pectin fruit. The high pectin levels also has medicinal qualities – the fruit have long been a traditional Asian remedy for coughs and sore throats, helping soothe hoarseness and inflammation. The fruit contains more vitamin C than lemons (up to 150 mg/100 g), and is also known as a the Baltic Lemon. The skin surface has a waxy feel and is a very hard fruit. Contains lots of small brown hard seeds, which you dont need to remove in the process. Try growing a few seeds. Pot into potting mix and they will germinate in spring. Place the pot outside, doesn't need to be kept inside. The seedlings made excellent plants for bonsai potting.
Some history of this species (from Eric Cairns) ... There are at least 2 other "japonica" species, including C. japonica var. cathayensis. My Parents had a house at Victoria Tce, Ohau. Mum did grow a seedling line of "japonica", which in hindsight may have been cathayensis. Big fat thorns, different to the usual ornamental japonica, and large fruit. This would be 40-50 years ago. I wonder if these plants were spread around to other properties around Ohau/Horowhenua region.
How to store fresh Japanese Quince fruit: Store in fridge, place fruit in a paper bag and put in the vegetable bin. They store well, but best to get into action and use on arrival.
ORDERING JAPANESE QUINCE: Minimum order is 1kg, so you are ordering in 1kg units. We ship nationwide. Aprox 5-6 fruit per kg. We always give you a bit extra. Limited stock.
We ship via NZPOST Overnight for all Wgtn Local $7, and North Island orders $12 covers up to 4kg to North Island METRO addresses. RD delivery is extra.
We ship to South Island via POST HASTE - 2 working day delivery schedule. $14 covers up to 4kg to South Island METRO addresses. RD delivery is extra.
All orders will be shipped with "non-signature" required unless you otherwise advise.
Please ensure you select the correct freight option for your delivery address (drop down menu).
Enjoy!
