Medlar Scionwood

Species: Mespilus germanica

History: Native to parts of Europe and the Middle East, Medlars have been cultivated for thousands of years with records dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome. As one of the few fruits to ripen in the winter, they were an important food plant for a long time. Many literary works, including Shakespeare, reference medlars and often make crass jokes due to their appearance. As better storage and transportation made it easier to access more popular fruits out of season, medlars began to fade out of popularity around the 1800s and are now rarely cultivated.

Why We Grow It: Medlars are truly a unique fruit! When ripe, they are hard and inedible but if you let them blet (essentially rot) they develop a taste and texture similar to applesauce. They can be eaten raw or used to make things like medlar cheese or medlar jelly. It is certainly an acquired taste but a fun option if you are looking or something unique and/or want to enjoy your own fruit into the winter.