Mespilus Germanica - Cultivation and Uses

Cultivation and Uses

Mespilus germanica was already being cultivated about three thousand years ago in the Caspian Sea region of northern Iran. It was introduced to Greece around 700 BC and to Rome about 200 BC. It was an important fruit plant during Roman and medieval times. By the 17th and 18th century, however, it had been superseded by other fruits, and is very rarely cultivated today. M. germanica pomes are one of the few fruits that become edible in winter, and an important tree for gardeners who wish to try to have fruit available all year round. There are several cultivars, including 'Royal', 'Nottingham', and 'Dutch', which bears the largest fruit. M. germanica plants can be grafted on to the rootstock of another species, for example the pear, to improve their performance in different soils.

Once bletted, the fruit can be eaten raw, and are often consumed with cheese as a dessert, although they are also used to make medlar jelly and wine. Another dish is "medlar cheese", which is similar to lemon curd, being made with the fruit pulp, eggs, and butter.

Cultivars of Mespilus germanica that are grown for their fruit include 'Hollandia', 'Nottingham', and 'Russian', 'Dutch' (also known as 'Giant' or 'Monstrous'), 'Royal', 'Breda giant', and 'Large Russian'

So-called medlar tea, is usually not made from M. germanica but from wolfberry, goji, sometimes called "red medlar".