V​elvet Rose Cottage

 Holistic Organic Skin Care & Aesthetics

Quince

Quince Day Cream, excellent for sensitive, normal, combination skin of every age. Helps protect and calms the skin. Gentle natural citrus scent from biodynamic, organic or wild crafted essential oils

Synonyms: None Known

Scientific Name: Cydonia oblonga

Family: Rosaceae

Habitat

The quince probably originates from the Caucasus and was already cultivated in ancient Greece. It was first mentioned by the Roman historian Pliny (24 to 79 AD). Quince was widely cultivated as a fruit in Central Europe up to 1900.

Constituents

Mucilages, pectin, tannins, fatty oil, vitamin C

Description

The quince, which grows as a shrub in the wild, is a small tree only about 3 to 4 m (9 to 12 feet) high. From May to June it produces large cup-shaped flowers which are white to delicate pink. The fruits, which weigh 300 to 500 g, are pear- or apple-shaped depending on the variety and are covered by a characteristic felty coating. This wipes off easily, revealing the wax-coated skin which emanates a sweet, fresh fragrance when rubbed. Although it has been cultivated by mankind for thousands of years quince has undergone little change as a result of selection and has thus largely retained the character of a wild fruit.

For cultivation a sheltered site should be chosen as the wood is sensitive to frost. The quince is generally free of pests and diseases. One exception is fire blight to which it is particularly susceptible. The ripe fruits are harvested from September to October. If the fruits are to be stored the best time to harvest is when the color begins to turn from green to yellow. Stored in a cool place without touching, the fruits remain fresh for up to 10 weeks.

Uses

Even when fully ripe, the bright yellow, aromatically fragrant fruits are not usually suitable for eating raw as the flesh is very tart and remains hard and woody. Cooked and sweetened, however, it unfolds a typical, enticing aroma and the fruits are therefore used to make jellies, compotes, juices and cakes. The quince mucilage relieves irritation. A seed extract is therefore used as a cough remedy and for treatment of gastric and intestinal catarrh. Mucilaginous compresses made from the crushed seeds can be applied to wounds and inflamed joints. The mucilage is also used as a gargle for sore throats.