History of the Medlar fruit

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210325-the-strange-medieval-fruit-the-world-forgot
John S
PDX OR

Great article - thank you

Has anyone ever eaten a Medlar? Anyone ever seen one? Planted one? Know anybody who did?

I have always been curious about these but have never seen one, and have never met anyone who even heard of them. (one more reason to love this site, and places like this).

I am especially curious about their "ripening" process. You have to eat them rotten or else they cause major digestive issues - Could this be inulin, the carbohydrate found in Sunchokes?

The article in the OP is interesting but does not really address any of the questions I have.

God bless

I have had a medlar tree for about 20 years. I have eaten many of them.  They are common around us Home Orchard Society folks here in PNW.  To say they have to "rot" is not a completely helpful way of describing them.  Just like pears, to which they are closely related, they aren't good to eat until they become soft.  That is nature's way of telling us they are good to eat; now go and spread the seed widely.  They taste like apple sauce that already has been spiced.  I think they are a great home orchard tree.  

John S
PDX OR

Thanks John!
How much do they bear? any cultivars you recommend? Do you just plant seeds, or better to get a grafted variety? Anything I should know before getting some? Any particular nursery you recommend?

John Suavecito wrote:I have had a medlar tree for about 20 years. I have eaten many of them.  They are common around us Home Orchard Society folks here in PNW.  To say they have to "rot" is not a completely helpful way of describing them.  Just like pears, to which they are closely related, they aren't good to eat until they become soft.  That is nature's way of telling us they are good to eat; now go and spread the seed widely.  They taste like apple sauce that already has been spiced.  I think they are a great home orchard tree.  

John S
PDX OR

I like Nottingham.  They bear a lot. Small tree.  If you know how to graft, you could probably graft them onto hawthorn, quince, or other medlar. I wouldn't grow from seed. You wait 10 years for it to fruit, and then you find out that you don't like the flavor of that variety. So plant another seed, wait another 10 years..........
I got mine at One Green World. Apparently also available at England nursery, in Kentucky I believe. I would also check Raintree and Burnt Ridge Nursery.
John S
PDX OR