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Medlar (Mespilus germanica)
The Medlar makes an interesting and unusual tree often assuming
a contorted shape whose leaves colour attractively in autumn. Medlars
will grow in almost any soil type but prefer a well-drained warm
loam soil in a sunny situation. Grows to approximately 3 metres.
Medlars have large and handsome dull green leaves which change
colour in autumn. In summer, large solitary white sometimes pink
flushed flowers are produced nestled amongst the leaves. The fruit
are described as a pome and the persistent calyces, give each fruit
a little crown.
The fruit, which are brown, apple-shaped and hard, ripen in late
autumn. Some say that much of the medlars original value was in
the days before year round fruit was available, when it would have
been “winter” fruit. Often harvesting is avoided until
after the first frost as this is thought to hasten the rotting or
“bletting” period. This bletting is achieved by laying
them on a bed of straw in a well ventilated place for some three
weeks to two months, until the flesh is half rotting and turning
brown inside! Now after all this waiting the taste? “….
Their flesh is then soft, brown and buttery, slightly fragrant,
and although unattractive to look at, delicious to eat”.
A delicious treat for the dedicated connoisseur, eat raw by spooning
out the flesh or make into a wonderful clear red jelly which is
a good accompaniment to cold meat.
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