When the days start to get shorter again, the pome fruit season begins. Apples and pears in many varieties are standard and are traditionally served as fresh fruit in the lunch box or as a popular refreshing drink in the form of apple spritzer. But these two are not the only types of pome fruit. Speierling and medlar raise a number of questions, while the rowan would never have been thought to be a relative of delicious fruit. But quince jelly is probably the next thing that comes to mind. The yellow relative of the apple and pear is much more than just jelly for a spread.

Yellow and hairy but still juicy: quinces

Quinces, apples and pears are related to each other, as they are all pome fruits from the rose family and therefore have certain similarities in terms of anatomy and ingredients. And yet, compared to its more popular relatives, the quince has a somewhat stubborn character.

The hearty bite of a fresh quince has probably often led to the fruit being removed from the menu in future. Only very few of the 200 or so varieties of quince are edible in their raw state, e.g. the honey quince. Normally, the bright yellow skin and flesh are extremely hard and taste woody and bitter. Another special characteristic of the quince is the fuzzy down on the skin, which tastes very bitter and must therefore be removed. And yet quinces are real treasure troves in cooking and medicine.

Quinces – always little heroes

Our grandmothers still appreciated quinces and used them to make quince compote, quince bread and many other delicacies. Quince juice is a special gem for the palate. Even though the water content of the yellow fruit is not as high as that of apples or pears, it is very easy to process into deliciously refreshing juice. It does not have the sweetness and fructose content of apple juice and tastes slightly tart, which makes it an ideal refreshing drink, whether drunk neat or mixed as a spritzer.

Many people find it difficult to drink the recommended daily amount of fluids exclusively in the form of (mineral) water. 1.5 to 2 liters of water – that sounds like a lot and bland. If, on the other hand, you can look forward to a liquid feast for the palate, drinking is even easier. And when mixing a spritzer, you don’t have to be as sparing with less sugary quince juice as with apple or pear juice. It is therefore also a good addition to mineral water for children, who like to drink something with flavor. If apples or pears are mixed with quinces when making juice, they serve as a natural flavor enhancer.

Healing juice supplier

The quince is also a fruit with great healing powers. It strengthens digestion, helps against colds and soothes inflammation of the skin. Studies have also shown that quinces are helpful for allergies, work better than medication for reflux disease and can even be used to treat cancer.

The nutrients of quinces

In the past, the quince was increasingly pushed out of the market in this country. Today, however, they are making a small comeback. In addition to their taste, their vital substance content is of particular interest.

100 grams of quinces contain around 15 mg of vitamin C, which is 15 percent of the recommended daily intake. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C not only strengthens the immune system, but also has prophylactic added value with regard to arteriosclerosis and cancer. Quince also contains vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin E as well as potassium, magnesium and copper. These vital substances are also preserved in quince juice if it is produced gently. The advantage of drinking quince juice is that the vital substances are already present in dissolved form, making it easier for the body to metabolize them so that they are available more quickly. In addition, the water contained in quince juice acts as a transport medium and reaction partner for chemical processes in the body and helps to keep it well hydrated. One of the prerequisites for optimal functioning of the organism.

Healthy ballast – if you drink enough

Pectins are one of the fibers contained in pome fruit and are particularly valuable for the body. They belong to the group of soluble dietary fibers. These have a particularly beneficial effect on the intestines. Pectins are also mucilage, which can gel and thus bind large quantities of water. Eating quinces increases intestinal volume and stimulates digestion. However, it is important to drink enough to ensure that the swelling substances have enough liquid to do their work. If the body is not sufficiently hydrated, the pectins extract the necessary fluid from the intestines themselves, which has the opposite effect and you become constipated. Juice from cooked quinces is beneficial here. During the cooking process, the pectin dissolves into the juice so that it is immediately supplied to the body with sufficient liquid.

Pectins in the gastrointestinal tract also ensure that some of the fats, bile acids and cholesterol that enter with food are bound and then excreted. Sugar is also absorbed much more slowly when pectins are present in the intestine, so that the blood sugar level remains balanced.

Pectins for the intestinal flora

Pectins are also able to positively influence the intestinal flora by serving as food for healthy bacteria. In this way, pathogenic microorganisms that cause diarrhea, for example, are displaced. The quercetin in the quince peel not only combats inflammation and allergies, it also inhibits the growth of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium.

As pectins can also bind unwanted substances such as heavy metals in the intestine, quinces help the body to detoxify. To support the elimination process, you should drink plenty of water. This serves as a transport medium for the substances to be excreted. Even radioactive substances can be increasingly eliminated from the body via the intestines.

Juice with added value from an almost forgotten fruit

Even if they are not as easy to get hold of as apples or pears, it is worth giving quinces a place in your diet and especially in your drinking plan. The furry yellow fruits are refreshing as a tasty juice with a moderate sweetness and are also helpful for many health complaints.