Fruit
Quince
Cydonia oblonga Mill. · common quince · Polish: Pigwa pospolita
Edible
How to identify it
- Leaves ovate to oval, with untoothed edges, felty-hairy underneath.
- Flowers borne singly, white, pale pink to pink, appearing after the leaves have opened (late May to early June).
- Fruits yellow, about 6 cm across in most varieties.
Where it grows
A tree or shrub from south-west Asia; grown in Poland in gardens and as a rootstock for pears.
In the kitchen and the home medicine cabinet
The raw fruits are hard and unpleasant; once cooked they become tasty: jellies, jams, preserves, added to cooked apples and pears.
Caution The seed embryos contain small amounts of amygdalin (a cyanogenic glycoside) — remove the seeds. Do not confuse with Japanese quince.
Frequently asked questions
When is Quince in season?
In Poland, usually in October.
Sources
Last checked: 9 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to us.
