Medlar is a pome fruit that is nowadays grown mainly in Southwest Asian countries and Azerbaijan. In the Middle Ages, the plant was also cultivated in southern and central Europe. Today, however, selective cultivation of the deciduous tree is rather rare. Medlars are used in folk medicine, especially for inflammatory bowel diseases. They are edible only after several weeks of storage. Medlars are suitable for making desserts, jams and give a fruity flavor to main dishes.
This is what you should know about medlar
Medlars are used folk medicine, especially for inflammatory bowel diseases. They are edible only after several weeks of storage. Medlar, also called true medlar, is a pome fruit and belongs to the rose family. The medlar is a deciduous tree whose trunk grows quite crooked. Medlars are only medium sized and reach heights of up to five meters. Usually the crown of the tree is larger than the rest of the plant. It is roundish and bears edible fruit. In Europe, the medlar was widespread in the times of the Middle Ages and was cultivated selectively. Nowadays, the fruit tree is almost insignificant in European areas. Remaining medlar plantations are protected by the city of Heidelberg. However, there are hardly any other targeted cultivations in these latitudes. Occurring medlar trees are mostly growing wild. Naturally occurring medlars thrive in Western Asia, in the Caucasus in Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Greece, Italy and Bulgaria. In earlier times they were mainly cultivated in Central and Southern Europe and in Southern England. Medlars live for about 70 years, but in England there is a tree that is already 300 years old. Today’s cultivation areas are in Southwest Asia and Azerbaijan. The medlar tree has a very hard brownish wood. The fruits it bears are roundish, quite small and yellow. Also characteristic are the protruding corn leaves at the top. The flowers are of a white to pink color and have a diameter of three to five centimeters. In Germany, the flowering period is from May to June. Medlars are deciduous trees. The fruits are collected in the months of October and November. They are ripe only after the first frost. The fruit is interspersed with supporting tissue, which gave it the name stone apple. The medlar favors sub-Mediterranean climatic conditions. It is relatively undemanding. Medlars prefer air temperatures of 18-20 degrees Celsius. They are relatively frost tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero. The trees thrive best in a low-calcium, loamy soil. The fruits are edible only after a few weeks of storage. After that, medlars taste sourly aromatic. Unripe fruits are suitable for tanning, as they contain a lot of tannin. Due to this fact, medlars are also used in wine and must production to reduce turbidity. The wood of the tree is used for carpentry and is used for the production of charcoal. Medlars reproduce by self-pollination. The seeds are carried away by squirrels and birds.
Importance for health
Plant parts of loquat significant for health are the fruits and leaves of the tree. The effect of medlar is astringent and diuretic. In folk medicine, it is used for various intestinal disorders. Since it has an anti-inflammatory effect, it is even used in Russia against the inflammatory bowel disease Crohn’s disease. It is also said to provide relief from digestive problems and gastritis. Since it has a digestive effect, it regulates intestinal function and can relieve cramps. The tannins and pectin contained in medlar regulate stool, have a tonic effect on the mucous membranes in the intestines and can thus counteract diarrhea. Pectin also has a positive effect on blood lipid levels. The consumption of pectin helps to lower cholesterol levels. A low cholesterol level protects the human organism from diseases of the cardiovascular system such as arteriosclerosis or a heart attack. In Japan, it is not the fruit that is used for medicinal purposes, but the leaves of the medlar tree. These are part of the so-called Ito-Thermie. For this purpose, the leaves are heated and passed along the body in metal containers. This is supposed to provide relief from pain and strengthen the body’s self-healing powers. Medlars have a low calorific value and contain hardly any fat.Therefore, they are suitable as a dietary food. The effects of the plant described in folk medicine and their areas of application have not yet been scientifically proven. Therefore, an application of the fruit in classical medicine has not been induced until now.
Ingredients and nutritional values
The content of ingredients and nutrients depends on the degree of ripeness of the fruit. Ripe, edible fruits have an average caloric value of 44 kilocalories per 100 grams. They contain tannins and pectins. In addition, 100 grams consist of about 75 percent water. Furthermore, this amount contains about 0.5 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, 10.6 grams of carbohydrates and 2.1 grams of fiber. Medlars provide vitamins, trace elements and minerals. For example, 100 grams of the fruit contain about 6 milligrams of sodium, 250 milligrams of potassium, 30 milligrams of calcium, 28 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.5 milligrams of iron, and 2 milligrams of vitamin C.
Intolerances and allergies
A food intolerance is a hypersensitive reaction of the human body to certain allergens. This manifests itself through various symptoms such as itching, breathing difficulties and rashes. In the case of an allergic reaction to medlars, a fructose intolerance may be present. Like apples and pears, medlars belong to the pome fruit family. Therefore, in the case of an allergic reaction, caution is also advised when eating these varieties. Furthermore, cross-allergies with stone fruit such as peach and apricot are not uncommon.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Medlars are rarely on sale in supermarkets or markets. The small, yellow fruit is most likely to be sold by Turkish fruit and vegetable vendors. When purchased, medlars often have brown unsightly spots on the skin. This is a good sign. The brownish color means that the fruit is ripe and the flesh has a tender consistency. Medlars need to be stored for a relatively long time. Only then are tannins and fruit acids broken down and the fruit is edible. Ripe fruit will keep in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for about a week. Medlars from Germany, on the other hand, should be stored for another one to two weeks until they have reached full ripeness. Before eating, the fruit should be halved and the seeds removed. The skin can be eaten as well. If the peel is to be removed, it is recommended to heat the fruit briefly. The peel can then be pulled off with a pointed knife, similar to a potato.
Preparation tips
Medlars are suitable for making jellies, mush, jams and sauces. However, they can also be enjoyed plain. They go well with related fruits such as apple and pear and enhance ice cream and fruit salads. They enhance the flavor of desserts of all kinds, such as cakes and muffins. Pickled in vinegar and sugar, medlars are a delicacy. In addition, the yellow fruits are suitable for the production of juices, liqueurs and wine. When dried, they can also be used to make flour due to their high starch content. Medlars add a pleasant fruity aroma not only to desserts but to main dishes.
