Quince is a small tree bearing a yellow fruit. The seed, fruit, and leaves are used as medicine.
Quince fruit syrup is sometimes used for persistent heartburn in children. Quince is also used for morning sickness, hay fever, stomach ulcers, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, quince fruit is used to make jam, jelly, marmalade, and pudding. It is also used to make juice and wine.
What is Quince?
Quince is a rather unusual fruit that is closely related to apples and pears. Its scientific name is Cydonia oblonga, and it is the only member of its genus. The quince tree is deciduous and rather small, while its ripened fruit is yellowish-gold in color and is somewhat similar to pears in terms of shape and consistency. The value of the fruit as a food item dates back a long time, but the small tree is often grown for its ornamental quality as well, because of its attractive pale pink blossoms.
It is native to the Eurasian area, including Uzbekistan, Armenia, Turkey, Hungary, Macedonia, and other nearby regions. Historically, it may have played a much larger role than most people expect. Some researchers actually think that when “apples” were referenced in ancient history, they were more likely talking about quince, which was much more common in those areas.
You can utilize quince in jams, jellies, and puddings, as well as use it in a similar way to pears as a side dish or breakfast food. Different countries use quince in different ways, often using its juice as a flavoring agent. However, the real benefit of quince is in eating the skin and the fleshy fruit, since it is packed with beneficial nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
Nutritional Value of Quince
Besides being a readily available and delicious fruit, quince is also valued because of its important place in human health. According to USDA it is a rich source of vitamin C, zinc, potassium, copper, iron, and dietary fiber. It is also rich in certain organic compounds like catechin, epicatechin, limonene, and various other phytonutrients, all of which contribute to the health benefits of quince.Rich in nutrients
Quinces contain fiber and several essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to almost any diet.
A single, 3.2-ounce (92-gram) quince provides the following:
- Calories: 52
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0.3 grams
- Carbs: 14 grams
- Fiber: 1.75 grams
- Vitamin C: 15% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Thiamine (vitamin B1): 1.5% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 2% of the DV
- Copper: 13% of the DV
- Iron: 3.6% of the DV
- Potassium: 4% of the DV
- Magnesium: 2% of the DV
As you can see, this fruit supplies moderate amounts of vitamin C and copper, plus small amounts of B vitamins, iron, potassium, and magnesium.
While not extraordinarily rich in any specific compound, quinces offer a wide array of nutrients for very few calories.
Health Benefits of Quince
Some extraordinary benefits of Quince fruit include can aid weight loss, helps to treat ulcers, is anti-inflammatory, has great antioxidant benefits, has anti-viral properties, can help solve digestive issues, is beneficial for your cardiovascular system, can help balance cholesterol levels, may help to reduce the risk of cancer, can be used to relieve stress, can improve your eyes’ health, is beneficial for your liver and can help relieve allergy symptoms.May Have Anticancer Potential
It seems as though cancer is one of the most frequently discussed diseases in recent history. Therefore, anything that can reduce the chances of developing cancer usually becomes quite popular. Free radicals are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that can cause healthy cells to mutate or die. According to a report published in the Nutrients Journal, “Polyphenols, found abundantly in plants, display many anticarcinogenic properties including their inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation as well as inducing apoptosis.” The high level of antioxidants, including phenolic and phytonutrient compounds, found in quince is very effective in neutralizing or eliminating free radicals in the body.May Reduce the Risk of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Beyond the general functioning of the digestive tract that dietary fiber facilitates, it can also help prevent certain gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or diverticulitis. The catechin and epicatechin contained in the fiber are likely to bind with certain cancer-causing toxins that are found in the colon, thereby protecting the mucous membrane of this important organ system.May Promote Weight Loss
One of the best ways to keep your weight down and guarantee a speedy metabolism that keeps your system running optimally is to improve your digestion. Quince is high in dietary fiber, like most fruits, and the significant levels of fiber mean that your gastrointestinal system works more efficiently and regularly. You will have more energy and keep your excess weight down by improving your digestive health.May Improve Skin Care
The high level of antioxidants and vitamins found in quince are very beneficial for keeping your skin healthy and young. Antioxidants eliminate the damage that free radicals cause to skin cells, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles, eliminating blemishes, and helping to defend your skin against the effects of UV radiation.May Regulate Blood Pressure
Potassium is one of the most important minerals in the human body because it is essential for maintaining blood pressure and facilitating effective fluid transfer in the body’s cells. In terms of blood pressure, potassium causes the blood vessels and arteries to relax, thereby reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system. This can decrease the chances of developing conditions like atherosclerosis, which can lower your risk for coronary heart diseases, heart attacks, and strokes.May Act As A Remedy for Allergic Reactions
Quince has long been praised for its ability to control allergic reactions. When applied as a salve or gel on the skin, it can benefit atopic dermatitis and similar skin conditions. The high levels of vitamin C also help to control inflammation and improve the health and appearance of your skin.May Boost Immunity
As mentioned earlier, quince has a huge amount of antioxidants, but other vitamins, such as vitamin C and E also boost the immune system in various ways. For example, vitamin C stimulates the immune system to increase the supply of white blood cells, which are the body’s first line of defense against pathogens, viruses, and bacteria.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
May Improve Circulation & Hair Health
The rich mineral content of quince includes iron, copper, and zinc. These three minerals, along with various other trace elements, are necessary for the production of red blood cells. When red blood cell production is high, the circulation around the body increases as more oxygen is carried throughout the body. This causes increased blood flow to the skin and scalp, which increases hair follicle health and stimulates growth.
Word of Caution: There is no definitive evidence of side effects or risks of quince, and all of the information seems to point towards it being a great addition to any diet. However, quince seeds do contain trace amounts of cyanide, so eating more than a few seeds could be troublesome. Additional scientific studies exploring the pros and cons of this delicious fruit are currently ongoing.
How to eat them
Because of their tough flesh and sour flavor, quinces are best eaten cooked. You can use cooked quince to top oatmeal, yogurt, or roasted meats.
Unlike more popular fruits, quinces are rarely eaten raw. Even when ripe, raw quinces have very a tough flesh and sour, astringent flavor.
Thus, most quince lovers agree that the fruit is best eaten cooked.
After slicing a quince, place it in a pot with water and a small amount of sugar, letting it simmer until the flesh softens. You can also experiment with adding spices like vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and star anise.
You can eat cooked quince on its own or use it to top oatmeal, yogurt, or roasted pork. It also makes a delicious addition to fruit tarts and pies.
What’s more, you can make quince jam. However, you should be mindful of the sugar content, as jam tends to be high in added sugar and easy to overeat.
The Bottom Line
Quinces are an ancient fruit with a unique flavor and several potential benefits.
They may help treat digestive disorders, allergies, and high blood sugar, though more research is needed.
Unlike other fruits, quinces aren’t eaten raw. Instead, they’re best cooked or turned into jam.
If you’re interested in spicing up your fruit routine, give quinces a try.
