• Quince is a perennial plant of the Rosaceae family. The history of quince cultivation dates back almost 4000 years. Its homeland is the Caucasus and the adjacent regions of Iran. Quince is a light- and heat-loving culture. In ancient times, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, quince was considered a symbol of love and fertility and was dedicated to the goddess of love – Venus. Quince is considered a symbol of a happy, healthy family – it is a symbol of the harmonious combination of feminine and masculine principles. It is known that in ancient Greece quince was a ritual fruit. This fruit was served to the bride before her wedding night.
• There are many legends about quince, one of which is connected with the story of Medea of ​​Colchis: Jason, along with the Golden Fleece, as you know, took Medea with him. Medea also took the magical talismans of the Caucasus with her to Greece, including quince fruits. On her wedding day, traditionally, Medea planted quince in her bedroom, because there was a legend that as long as a woman’s bed exudes the scent of quince, nothing threatens her beauty, the health of her children, and her husband will not leave her. Medea and Jason lived a long and happy life until her jealous lover destroyed the quince. This legend says that quince has vital energy and a magical scent that has a special effect on the sensitivity of men and women.
• Quince is a low-calorie, dietary product, 100 grams of which contains 40 kcal. The fruit contains substances beneficial to health, namely, fructose, glucose, sucrose, carotene, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, phytoncides, essential oil, vitamins B1, B2, C, E, V and PP, and also contains provitamins. 100 grams of quince contains only 42 calories and contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, starch, organic acids, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and iron.
• Quince fruit, due to its high iron content, is used for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, as well as during high temperatures. The pectin contained in quince helps to remove toxic substances from the body. Quince fruit has an astringent, diuretic, hemostatic, antiseptic effect and helps to stop nausea. Quince fruit and juice are also used for anemia, digestive tract diseases accompanied by jaundice and bleeding; it is used as a diuretic in diseases of the cardiovascular system. One quince contains two days’ worth of iron. In addition, it has diuretic properties, is useful for bronchitis, burns and angina. It is also used in cosmetology.
• For beauty: A quince mask is useful for oily skin. Thanks to its antimicrobial action, it is especially effective in removing blackheads. Quince juice is recommended for anemia, vascular and respiratory diseases, and asthma. All varieties of quince have a positive effect on the psyche. It stimulates the organs, improves mood. Quince juice is much easier to digest. Quince is ideal for strengthening eyesight and treating coughs. Pectin, which quince contains, helps to eliminate toxic substances from the body.
• Georgia is one of the homelands of quince, there are 75 varieties of local origin here. The best varieties are Lagodekhi large-fruited, Georgian sour, Shilduri late, Sakompote, etc. In addition, quince is frost-resistant and easily tolerates low temperatures. It can withstand temperatures down to -20°C without damage. To obtain high-quality, abundant fruit, you need a loose soil that is sufficiently moist, rich in nutrients. Dry and poor soil that contains a large amount of limestone compounds is unsuitable for growing quince. It is possible to use soils with a high groundwater level.
• The quince root system is located close to the surface of the soil, so it loves moisture. Quince grows well on moist soil and produces large, high-quality fruits. Quince is not demanding on the soil itself. It is not affected by certain salinity of the soil, the proximity of groundwater, although the best for it is still loose, moist soil.
• Do you also grow quince? In what form do you get it? Share your knowledge and experience, recipes. It would also be interesting to upload photos of your harvest in the comments.