Pictorial comparison of some of our Medlars (Mespilus germanica) – End of October 2023

Mespilus germanica, known as the medlar, is a small, deciduous tree in the rose family Rosaceae. It is native to southwest Asia, but has been cultivated in Europe since Roman times. The medlar tree is known for its edible fruit, which is typically eaten when bletted, or softened and ripened off the tree.

Medlars are in the Rosaceae or the rose family, and produce similar shaped fruit, but much flatter and bigger.

Medlar trees are typically 3-5 meters tall, with a rounded crown and dense, thorny branches. The leaves are green and oval-shaped, and the flowers are white or pink-tinged, appearing in the spring. The skin of the fruit is brown, with a rough velvetty hairy skin. It ripens in autumn, but is not edible until it has bletted.

Bletting is a natural process that brings about an increase in sugars and a decrease in the acids and tannins that make the unripe fruit astringent. The fruit should be harvested from the tree immediately following a hard frost, which starts the bletting process by breaking down cell walls and speeding softening. When ripe the flesh is brown and a mushy texture, some say its similar to the consistency of a ripe date.

Medlars are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fibre, and they are also low in calories. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or used in a variety of recipes. Fresh medlars are often used in salads, pies, and tarts. Cooked medlars can be used in jams, jellies, and chutneys. Medlar wine is also a popular beverage.

Medlar trees are relatively easy to grow, and they are tolerant of a variety of soil and climate conditions. They are also relatively pest- and disease-resistant. Medlar trees are a beautiful and unique addition to any garden, and their fruit is a delicious and nutritious treat.

We aim to show pictorially some of the medlar fruit varieties and there differences.

We will start off with a Medlar seedling producing fruit that are approx 3cm diameter. No astringency, slightly sweet, but quite juicy.

Nottingham variety of approx 4.5cm diameter. A bit dry and bland taste.

This is the 2nd variety called Royal that is most commonly found growing in the UK, again approx 4.5cm diameter. No astringency, slightly sweet, but quite dry.

Supposedly a dwarfing Medlar called Sibleys Patio. Fruit are approx 3.5cm diameter. No astringency and slightly sweet, hardly any juice.

Bruss en Vrucht is of approx 4cm diameter. No astringency, Medium sweet and medium juice.

We are now getting a bit bigger, with Armenia (I) being approx 5cm diameter. Medium sweet taste and only slightly astringent.

Westerveld is a bit smaller at approx 3.5cm diameter. Slightly astringent, and medium sweet taste.

Now we are getting to the biggest of all Medlar’s this being Large Dutch of approx 5cm diameter. A bit dry, and a bland taste.

This is where it goes a bit astray with Turkish Giant being approx 2.8cm diameter. Not what we would think of as being a Giant. However at this pre bletted stage it is very juicy, and of a medium taste.

Summary Notes

The sizes of the fruit are ones that we picked that look the biggest, they are not the average size. Do not forget that sizes, taste, juiciness can also be very variable from one year to another, due to climatic conditions. Also these were in a pre bletted condition, so flavours and juiciness will change.