Although the quince is not so well known or as widespread in our region as, for example, apples or pears, their variety of vitamins and nutrients can only be envied. Today about 400 varieties of this fruit are known.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRUIT
In a nutshell, the quince is a relative of the apple and the pear. Originally, there were only two types of quince, the mountain quince and the Japanese quince. Then, thanks to the breeders, the variety of membrillos has gone from 2 to 400. In fact, the difference of all the varieties of this fruit lies in the variable form of the flowers of the fruit and in the structure of the fruit itself. The rest is very similar.
The fruit itself is round or oval, yellow. Its surface is usually irregular. The pulp itself is firm and hard, but acidic and sweet. Its average weight is about 50 grams.
Chemical composition of the quinces
A ration of 100 grams has a caloric value of about 48 kilocalories. A ration of the same size is about 0. 6 grams of proteins, 0. 5 grams of fats and 9. 6 grams of carbohydrates. The dietary fiber of the product is 3. 6 grams.
The quince has a rich list of vitamins and macronutrients. There are not many micronutrients in this fruit, but this does not prevent it from being such useful and sought in other latitudes.
Of the trace elements, it contains iron – 3 mg. The list of macronutrients contained in the fruit is a bit more diverse – calcium – 23 mg, magnesium – 14 mg, potassium – 144 mg, sodium – 14 mg, phosphorus – 24 mg. Quince Vitamins are present in different groups: Betacarotene – 0. 4 mg, vitamins PP (0. 1), A (167 µg), B1 (0. 02 mg), B2 (0. 04), C (23 mg), E (0. 4 mg).
Fruit properties
Each variety of this fruit has its own and unique composition of useful components and vitamins. This means that each variety is different in its effect on the human body. However, common properties can be identified for all available varieties of this fruit:
- Improves the function of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Eliminates toxins and harmful substances from the organism.
- Reinforces intestinal peristalsism.
- It helps to restore intestinal function, for example after prolonged antibiotic treatment.
- Strengthens blood vessels and oxygenates blood.
- Strengthens the joints.
- It helps treat acute respiratory diseases and tuberculosis.
- Normalize the nervous system.
- Relieve stress and nerve overload.
- Normalize the amount of blood sugar.
- Stimulates appetite, which is a great advantage for people with the exhausted body.
- The antioxidants contained in cancer cells.
Useful properties
Apart from the pulp, the other parts of the fruit contain many useful and nutritious substances. The seeds of this plant, for example, despite being poisonous, are popular medicinally. A decoction well prepared with quince seeds is expectorant and helps eliminate the phlegm of the body. Actively fight bronchitis.
Note: The quince is useful and tasty when mature. Immature or too mature fruits are not useful for the human body.
The leaves and flowers of the plant are also used to treat various ailments. Quince flower decoctions should be used for hypertension. An infusion of this type can help in a short time.
Fact. The quince can only be consumed after a heat treatment.
For the women
It is impossible to think of any scope in which the quince is not beneficial for women. It can help and strengthen the body during pregnancy and the difficult period of menopause. It is also essential in facial masks and capillaries: it will give luminosity to the skin and shine the hair.
In addition, regular consumption of this fruit will help prolong youth, maintain tone and keep thinness. The consumption of the “apple of the sun” during pregnancy will help eliminate swelling in the last quarters, and protect against colds.
For children
The introduction in the diet of a fruit such as the quince, beneficial for the child and its development. But the allergenicity of the fruit must be taken into account and not let the child expose this “sunny” apple until it has about 1 year. Children should know this skin cooked without skin and only in the form of dessert or baked.
- Eating Quince has its advantages for children:
- It has a beneficial effect on the child’s mental performance.
- Participate in the formation of the bone system.
- Protects against infectious diseases.
- Normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
IMPORTANT: You cannot foresee allergic reactions of children to fruit, because the quince is not a traditional fruit!
For men
Because of its composition, the quince is very useful for men. Due to its high vitamin C content, the production of oxytocin hormone will increase. This will improve power and increase sexual desire. The same vitamin will help get rid of adipose tissue.
Ascorbic acid also affects cortisol levels, which influences man tolerance to stress. Vitamin A will be an excellent prophylactic against prostate cancer in men.
Damages and contraindications
Despite the composition of the quince, rich in vitamins and beneficial components, another quince damage has been identified. These are the poisonous seeds that are inside the fruit. They must always withdraw before cooking the fruit.
Attention! Never cook quinces with poisonous seeds!
Membrillos are contraindicated for people suffering from constipation. Due to its high tannin content, only things can get worse. The consumption of fruit in its raw form can cause strong flaws in the throat, great irritation of the mucosa and sometimes even breathing. Decoctions should be avoided during menstruation.
Special uses
The quince is widely used in kitchen, cosmetics and medicine. People use it in the kitchen, to replace the body with various beneficial components and vitamins. Many diseases are also treated with the help of this fruit. The “apple of the sun” is also used for preventive purposes, especially to avoid flu, colds and other diseases.
The quince also has a favorable effect on the human aspect, even when used in the form of masks. It has a beneficial effect on the state and skin color and improves hair, making it silky and bright.
In the kitchen
The fruit is barely consumed fresh. This is because the quince has a thick pulp and an astringent flavor. The most common recipes are quince jam, compote or quince confit.
In some countries it is used as an ingredient of fine white wines. The “Apple of the Sun” is ideal to taste desserts and sweet dishes. The main thing to remember when cooking with a fruit like the quince is that the daily ration of this product is 40-50 grams.
With honey
The “sunny apple”, baked with honey, can easily replace a confectionery product, because it is a wonderful dessert in itself. This dish can be offered safely to children, pregnant women and people after various diseases and operations.
To strengthen the agency, it is recommended to eat this dish in 1 ration per day. For this recipe, you have to wash the quince well, removing all the skin fluff. Next, you have to cut the fruit in half and remove all the seeds. In the resulting cavities it becomes honey. The resulting dish must be placed in the oven for 30 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees. The preparation is determined by the softness of the fruit.
Candied fruit
Making fruit confited with this recipe is nothing difficult, but it takes a long time.
You have to wash well under the tap 1 kg of quince and cut it into rooms, previously removing the skin. Next, 500 ml of water are added and the shells are boiled for about 20 minutes; Then they take them out with a sparkling and throw themselves. Put the quince in the stew.
Attention! While the quinces wait for their shift to boil, it is better to pour cold water on them. Membrillos have a lot of iron, which means they will oxidize even faster.
After boiling the fruit pulp for 15 minutes, you have to take it out of the boiling water and strain it into a strainer to cool. Pour 500 grams of sugar into the broth and cook over low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Carefully r e-enter the pieces in the sugar syrup and put over low heat. After boiling, let cook over low heat for about 5 minutes. Now you must turn off the heat and leave this broth until the next day.
IMPORTANT: We must not have a hurry when making confined fruit, because the longer the sugar syrup passes, the better quality the fruit will have.
Once you have cooled completely, you have to add 500 grams of sugar to the pot and put it over low heat. Boil for about 5 minutes after boiling, turn off and let cool, or for a day.
Repeat this procedure about 4 times. In the last boil, add a pinch of citric acid to the broth. After the last boil, take out the pieces from the syrup, extend them on a clean plate and leave them for a few days to dry.
Quince sweet
To make this recipe, you have to wash and peel 4 pieces of quince. Next, you have to cut them into fine slices and throw 500 g of sugar. Meanwhile, mix the skin of the fruit with 500 g of sugar, hyérvalo adding water and cool it. Pour the syrup on the cut quince pulp and cover with a cotton towel. Let stand a minimum of five hours.
When time has elapsed, put the casserole over medium heat and wait for it to break. Once the jam breaks to boil, the fire goes down. When we have at least 15 minutes cooking over low heat, bring it up and let it stand for a day. Then you have to boil it again, but only for one more hour. And you can spread the newly made jam!
Membrillo compote for winter
For this recipe you need to prepare in advance and sterilized tapas. To get the compote, you must use only mature quince. First, you have to take 1 kg of “sunny apples”, peel the skin and seeds and cut it into small pieces. Pour a glass of cold water on the pulp and then add citric acid at a rate of 10 g of citric acid per 1 liter of water.
In a saucepan, add 300 g of sugar to 2 liters of water and bring to a boil. Next, drain the water from the sliced quinces and add the pieces to the sugar syrup. Take the boiling mixture for 20 minutes from the boiling point. Once time has elapsed, turn off the fire, pour the compote in the prepared jars. Invest the jars and cover.
In popular medicine
The Japanese quince is widely used in popular medicine. The most common and known recipes are quince juice or tea or seed decoction. All these recipes are used to treat and prevent various diseases.
Decoction of fruit seeds
A decoction elaborated with this recipe will help in case of hemorrhages and bronchitis. For this recipe you have to mix 10 grams of quince seeds with 100 ml of water. Next, the mixture is boiled until a mass of mucilaginous consistency is formed. 1 tablespoon of this drink must be taken 3 times a day. The decoction is also adequate to make gargling or diverse lotions.
Infusion of quince leaves
Take a few quince leaves collected, pour boiling water and leave infusion for 2-3 hours. After the time, the infusion is ready for use. The bandage is soaked in the infusion and applies to the wound.
Caution. Do not apply the wound soaked on an open wound.
Big Decoction for cough and sore throat
For this recipe, a quince is peel and cut into small slices. A glass of hot water is poured on them and soak for 1 hour. This decoction will help cure cough in a few days and relieve swelling and inflammation in angina.
In cosmetology
The acids found in large quantities in the quince are very suitable for various facial masks. These masks dry the skin and act as antiseptics.
They are easy to prepare, even at home. It is necessary to crush the quince pulp until a puree and add the favorite ingredients that have proven good for the skin. For example, it can be a variety of oils, cereal puree, egg yolk, starch and more.
A fruit mask can help clean and relax the skin and remove acne. For its preparation a ripe fruit is needed, which must be finely grated. The resulting mass should be applied to the face, without reaching the area of the eyes and lips. This mask must be left for a maximum of seven minutes, then simply rinse with warm water.
How to keep and how to choose the quince
When choosing the quince you have to keep in mind that the fruit must have a bright yellow color. This color indicates the maturity of the fruit. If the color is irregular, the fruit is not mature and it is better not to take it. If the color is completely green, the fruit is not suitable for consumption.
The best place to keep quince is the refrigerator. They can be preserved at temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius, and can last up to 4 months without losing their nutrients.
Quince is a very useful and irreplaceable product. It contains many vitamins, minerals and pectinic substances. This fruit is used a lot in medicine, cuisine and cosmetology. However, you must only choose mature quinces, since the immature will not do any good.
