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Re: Medlar

On Tue, 9 Jun 1998  Nick wrote:

>> Does someone know what kind of fruit is "medlar"?
>> Thanks in advance,

>It's Mespilus germanica, a tree in the rose family, the fruit of which is
>eaten when overripe and starting to decay (i.e. a bit like the wild
>persimmon in the U.S., Diospyros virginiana). I've seen medlars growing
>once, in an old, abandoned orchard in the Sierra Nevada mountains of S.
>Spain. 

To add to this, it is an 'ancient' fruit probably introduced into much
of Europe by the Romans and is thought to have originated in the
Middle East well before pre-Christian times.  It was known by the
Greeks in 200BC.  Almost certainly, it was introduced here into
England, during Roman times and was still a well established and
popular, winter fruit over a thousand years later.  Whilst most
closely related to Pyrus species, the medlar also shows considerable
affinities with both Sorbus and Crataegus.  It was a great favourite
at the diner table in medieval England and was widely cultivated at
that time.  

The fruits are rounded or top shaped, brown, hard and indigestible
until they have been frosted and then allowed to soften through
partial decay.  Sounds revolting I know, but the English found a way
around this by describing the process as 'Bletting'.    The name
Medlar is derived from 'Meddler' - referring to the belief that it was
one of old Saturn's fruits, supposed to prolong a woman's desire.   At
one time, more genteel of folk referred to the medlar as 'Saturn's
Fruit', whilst those of more lowly origin called it 'Bare-Arses', such
was the similarity of the shape to that part of the human anatomy!
Since medieval folk were much pre-occupied with the 'comeliness' of
the rear of a well rounded woman, we can easily see how due to its
shape, the fruit was associated with Saturnalian pleasures of the day.

I've eaten medlars in the past and although the flavour is rather
agreeable, the somewhat 'mushy' texture combined with a degree of
grittiness, takes some getting used to!  It makes a wonderful, orange
coloured jelly which is very acceptable with game and is in my
opinion, far superior to Quince Jelly, being less astringent and not
quite so overpoweringly perfumed. 
 
As a garden plant, the medlar has much to recommend it.  A tough, slow
growing small tree with a few sharp spines and rather attractive,
fairly large, solitary white, tinged pink flowers borne in June.
These are quickly self pollinating and fruit is almost inevitable
following flowering.  Medlars produce quite acceptable autumn colour
with the rather broad leaves taking on hues of russets, orange, yellow
and brown before falling.  It will grow in a wide range of soils and
once established, can withstand a fair amount of heat and drought.  It
has long been established as a 'wild plant' in the hedgerows of
southern England and is no doubt, an escape from the early Roman
gardens.

David Poole
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