Quince fruits. Harmful effects on the functioning of the body. Quince jam

Autumn is over, and long winter months with frosts, cold winds and lack of sun await us. At this time, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is very important to maintain strength and health. In winter, our diet should include as many vegetables and fruits as possible, and my article today is dedicated to quince, a very healthy, sunny, bright fruit, which in the old days was called the golden apple.

There are three types of quince: common quince, Japanese quince and Chinese quince. The common quince is a tree with large fruits, while the Chinese and Japanese quince are shrubs and their fruits are much smaller. Today I want to talk about the common or oblong quince, the fruits of which are of the greatest nutritional value.

Common quince grows in the North Caucasus, Volgograd and Astrakhan regions, in the Lower Volga region. This culture is widespread in Crimea, Ukraine and the countries of Central Asia. Winter-hardy varieties have been bred, allowing this plant to be grown in Middle lane Russia, the Baltic states, Belarus.

There are three varieties of common quince, which are grown for their very healthy fruits: pear-shaped, apple-shaped and Portuguese quince. They differ in shape and size, among them there are varieties with more or less early ripening fruits, but all of them are extremely useful due to their composition. And today, dear readers, we will talk about how to eat quince and what can be made from it. First, let's look at what a quince looks like in the photo.

Common quince. Photo

Calorie content of quince and its composition

The calorie content of quince is not high, it varies between 45 - 55 kcal per 100 grams of product, depending on the variety, soil, place of growth, climatic conditions and care of the plant.

The fruits contain a small amount of proteins and fats, but they contain fructose and a lot of pectins, complex carbohydrates that are formed in plants by photosynthesis of carbon dioxide and water. Tannins, gums, glycosides, tartronic, citric and malic acids, dietary fiber and essential oils, giving quince fruits a specific aroma.

Chemical composition of quince

The chemical composition of quince is very rich; it contains almost all vital vitamins and quite a lot of minerals. Their quantity in products also depends on many factors; I will give average values.

Vitamins

Minerals

What are the benefits of quince for the body?

Quince is a fruit that is very beneficial for the human body; its fruits, thanks to a large amount of antioxidants, help to resist stress, prevent aging of the body, and have an antitumor effect.

Pectins and fiber help cleanse the body of harmful substances and heavy metals, remove excess cholesterol from the body, promote normal digestion. Quince fruits have other equally beneficial properties:

bactericidal,
anti-inflammatory,
astringents,
diuretics,
hemostatic,
strengthening the immune system.

All these useful and medicinal properties Quinces make it possible to use it for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

Quince. How to eat it

Quince fruits have a very dense, hard peel; the flesh of the raw fruits is hard and has a tart, astringent taste. Therefore, quince is best consumed in heat-treated form. It is used to make preserves, jams, jams, marmalade, and candied fruits, which have a delicate taste and wonderful aroma.

Quince is used to prepare sauces for poultry and meat dishes; when boiled and stewed, it becomes soft and acquires a pleasant sweetish taste. It is added to porridges, fruit pilaf, casseroles, stuffed into pies, and baked quince is very tasty. When cooked, it does not lose its nutritional and beneficial properties, and the amount of pectin only increases when heated.

It is best to peel the peel before cooking; it can be dried and added to tea to give it a pleasant aroma. Do not throw away the seeds; when dried, medicinal infusions and decoctions are prepared from them.

Is it possible to eat quince raw?

You are unlikely to like quince raw; its taste is very tart, the peel is hard, and the flesh is dense. The fruits picked from the tree must ripen, early varieties 2 – 3 weeks are enough, but late varieties are left to ripen for up to 2 months. During such storage, quince becomes softer, its biological value increases several times.

Slices of fresh ripe quince can be added to tea instead of lemon. The tea acquires an amazing taste and aroma and is saturated with vitamins and essential oils.

Quince juice

From fresh fruits Quinces are made into juice; it can be drunk fresh or canned. To prepare juices, varieties with a mild nutmeg flavor are used. Fresh juice goes well with other fruit juices; quince juice tastes great when added to it. apple juice, juice from pumpkin, peaches or bananas. Fresh juice is useful in cases of lack of appetite, intestinal disorders, and poisoning due to the presence of a large amount of tannins in it.

But do not forget that organic acids in any juice with a sour taste have a harmful effect on tooth enamel, so it is best to drink juices through a straw or in mandatory rinse your mouth after eating them.

You should give quince juice to children with caution; it is best to start with a few drops diluted with water to see if the child has an individual tolerance to this product, and it is better not to give quince juice to children under 6 years of age.

Juice is contraindicated for stomach ulcers and duodenum, as well as for constipation, since its astringent properties can aggravate the situation. Allergic reactions and individual intolerance are also possible, although they are rare.

How to choose a quince

When buying quince, you need to pay attention to appearance, the fruits should not have damage or stains, they should be evenly colored in a bright yellow color, which indicates their ripeness. Buy large fruits; small ones store much worse. The quince should be firm to the touch and exude a strong, pleasant aroma.

How to save quince

At room temperature, fresh quince fruits can be stored for no more than two weeks, so it is better to place them in the refrigerator. For better preservation, it is recommended to wrap each fruit in not very thick clean paper or foil. In this form, the fruits are stored for several months.

If you need to save the quince for more long term, it can be frozen. Not only fresh fruits can be frozen, but also heat-treated ones. The quince needs to be peeled, cut into slices and boiled. Once cooled, place in food containers and ship to freezer. Frozen fruits retain maximum beneficial properties.

Another way to preserve quince for the winter is to dry it in the oven or in a special electric dryer. Slices for drying should be cut as thin as possible and dried at a temperature of 50 degrees. Properly dried slices should retain their elasticity and should not be overly brittle.

I suggest watching a video about the amazing quince fruit, what it looks like, and its beneficial properties.

What can be made from quince. Recipes

There are many delicious recipes From quince, a variety of preserves, compotes, jams are prepared for the winter, very aromatic, reminiscent of summer. Fresh quince is baked and candied fruits are prepared from it, which taste superior to any sweets.

Quince jam recipe

Peel the quince, remove the core and cut into small slices. Add water and simmer for 10 minutes until the slices become soft.
Drain the water and prepare syrup from it at the rate of 1 kilogram of sugar per glass of water; dip blanched quince pieces into the hot syrup.
The jam can be cooked immediately until it is ready, but it will be much tastier if you cook it in three steps, boiling for 10 - 15 minutes over low heat at intervals of 6 - 8 hours.

When cooking jam, you can add slices of lemons, oranges, cinnamon, vanillin, thereby achieving a varied taste and aroma.

Candied quince

Candied quince is a very tasty and healthy dessert, and it’s not at all difficult to prepare.

The fruits must be peeled, cut in half, removing the seeds and cut into thin slices.
The quince slices are blanched for 3 minutes or simply poured with boiling water for a few minutes, then the water is drained and a syrup is prepared from it at the rate of a kilogram of sugar per liter of water.
Then the syrup is poured over the quince slices and left to soak for 6 - 8 hours. Then boil the syrup with quince for 5 minutes and leave again. Repeat 1-2 more times, then dip the slices in powdered sugar and place on flat trays. Candied quince fruits dried in this way are perfectly stored in glass containers.

Quince compote for the winter

A great way to prepare quince for the winter is to cook compote from it, for which you will need 2 liters of water and 400 grams of sugar per kilogram of quince. Each housewife has her own recipe, I will give you the simplest one.

Thoroughly clean the quince from the rough layer and rinse with a brush; there is no need to cut off the peel. Cut the fruit into 4 parts, removing the core and seeds. Cut into thin slices and pour boiling water with the addition of lemon juice, leave for 15 - 20 minutes.
Prepare a syrup from water and granulated sugar, let it boil until the sugar is completely dissolved, put the slices in it, and boil.
Place quince tightly in sterile jars, fill to the top with syrup, liter jars Sterilize for 20 minutes and close tightly with boiled metal lids.

Baked quince recipe

Baked quince in the oven turns out very tasty; the fruits become soft without losing their aroma and beneficial properties.

Before baking, you do not need to cut off the skin of the quince, just rinse it well, cut it in half, remove the core and place it on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
Sprinkle the quince halves with lemon juice, put a spoonful of sugar in them and cover the mold with foil. Bake for about an hour, then remove the foil and leave for another 10 - 15 minutes so that the quince halves brown.

When baking quince fruits, you can experiment, add cinnamon and cloves, which will enhance the aroma and add oriental “notes” to the taste of the fruit. You can bake without sugar, pour honey over the slices after cooling. Extraordinarily tasty and healthy.

And for the soul, today we will listen to a song performed by Adamo Salvatore J'aime . A wonderful love theme from the Belgian chansonnier.

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Answer

Quince is a shrubby tree. It can grow up to five meters. The fruits are harsh, the surface is textured, the flesh is viscous, sweet, tart. They are shaped like an apple or a lemon-colored pear. They ripen in mid-summer and August. The taste is very unusual, it is better not to eat them raw. The material will discuss why quince is so useful, for whom exactly, how to use it, and what to cook from it.

The fruit has a rich, varied composition:

acids of organic origin - malic, citric, tartaric;
monosaccharides – glucose, fructose;
tanning compounds;
vitamins – C, group B, A, PP;
protopectins;
gum;
dextrins;
organic compounds – glycine, lysine, arginine, proline;
elements – iron, sodium, nickel, potassium, manganese, cobalt, phosphorus, copper;
flavonoids;
triglycerides.

100 grams of fruit contain 0.6 grams of protein, 0.5 grams of fat, 9.6 grams of carbohydrates. The number of kilocalories is 48 per hundred grams.

Beneficial properties of the fruit

Golden apples contain many nutrients. Their benefits are invaluable. They contain beta-carotene, which helps improve vision. The substance is also useful for the prevention of serious diseases - glaucoma, cataracts.

Quince

Fruit juice and pulp have a softening and regenerating effect. It is indicated for constipation and poisoning of the body, as it is a laxative with a mild effect.

Angers

The variety was developed by the French. She keeps up quickly. It is used as a medicine - the juice helps get rid of a sore throat. The juice also cleanses the respiratory system of mucus. The fruits are indicated for cleansing the intestines of waste and toxins. The decoction fights bleeding gums and stomatitis. Relieves heartburn during pregnancy.

Japanese

The variety is rich in pectin content. They help remove heavy metal salts and toxins from internal organs.

Quince is recommended for people with reduced immunity. It can enhance the body's protective functions and resist infections. The iron content increases hemoglobin in the blood. The fruit is useful for dizziness, weakness, and fatigue.

Chinese

The variety is distinguished by large fruits reaching 1.5 kilograms. The composition contains vitamin C, iron, calcium, pectin. After heat treatment, beneficial qualities are not lost. The fruits normalize a person’s psychological background, increase resistance to stress, and improve sleep.

How to select and store quince

The product has a dark yellow or lemon color. The aroma is unusual, but pleasant. It is reminiscent of the smell of an unripe pear with hints of spices, flowers and tree bark. How to select and preserve golden apples:

take large hard specimens from the store;
the color should be a uniform yellow shade;
an important criterion for ripeness is the absence of green spots;
if the fruit has dents, it must be eaten immediately, otherwise it will spoil;
At home, fruits are washed to remove fluff from the surface;
wrapped in polyethylene and stored in a cold place for up to 60 days;
Pears should not be placed close to each other, as the product will quickly begin to ripen and will soon spoil.

General effects on the body

It is irreplaceable and beneficial for the health of men, women, and children.

On blood vessels and heart

Fruit juice is indicated for cardiovascular pathologies. It strengthens vascular walls, increases the endurance of the heart muscle, purifies the blood and reduces the fragility of blood vessels.

For the digestive system

Within 1 month, thanks to daily consumption of the fruit, the intestinal microflora is restored after treatment with antibiotics. Tannins and catechin cope with chronic constipation. They also get rid of carcinogens and toxins.

For the genitourinary system

The product is used for cystitis, as it has pronounced diuretic properties.

For the nervous system

Thanks to the concentration of antioxidants, quince has a positive effect on nervous system, calms, relaxes. Helps to resist stress, lifts your mood, and gives you vigor.

In the form of cancer prevention

Phenols and antioxidants increase the body's resistance and fight the proliferation of cancer cells.

Benefits of quince for women

Golden apples are capable of supporting female body in good shape.

Pregnancy

While carrying a child, a woman is recommended to eat the fruit. It contains pyridoxine. This is the best measure to prevent a heart attack. The substance can remove swelling, prevent the occurrence of ischemia, and normalize metabolism. In the product great content vitamin C. It helps iron to be absorbed and improves immunity.

Boiled fruits help fight toxicosis. Thanks to its diuretic properties, unnecessary fluid is removed from the body and swelling is reduced.

During menopause

During periods of hormonal imbalances, heavy menstruation occurs. Because of this, hemoglobin sharply decreases. Fruits help stop bleeding, strengthen vascular walls, and replenish the supply of red cells. Also calms the nerves.

For weight loss

The fruit contains a lot of fiber. It is useful for weight loss. The fruits have no cholesterol, minimum quantity fatty acids. They improve digestion, suppress appetite and saturate the body.

For men

For children

The product is especially necessary for a young, growing organism. Quince contains a lot of pectin, organic acids, and enzymes. All vitamins directly affect the development of the child.

Regular consumption of quince improves mental activity, increases immunity, and has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended to give to children with viruses and colds.

Let's look at what quince is used for. It is unique because it has a strong restorative effect on the entire body.

Diabetes

This is one of the few fruits that can be consumed if you have diabetes. It is low in sugar and low glycemic index. The product helps overcome pathology. Quince has a rich composition that is incomparable with other fruit crops. Thanks to fiber, the absorption of glucose and its entry into the blood slows down. Quince is universal for diabetics because it does not lose its usefulness during heat treatment.

For gastrointestinal diseases

Quince decoction acts as an enveloping drug for any deviations in the normal functioning of the stomach.

For bronchitis

Golden apple has an expectorant effect. This is useful for colds and dry cough syndrome. Essential oils contained in the peel fight microbes and prevent the spread of viruses.

For colds

A high concentration of vitamin C increases the body's protective functions and helps resist infections. 100 grams contain the daily requirement of vitamin C.

For bronchial asthma

A leaf infusion can reduce and stop attacks. It is prepared like this: 5 grams of leaves are poured into 250 milliliters of water, boiled in a water bath for 20 minutes. Drink 4 times a day, 2 tablespoons. Place in the refrigerator and keep for no longer than 3 days.

For anemia

Syrup helps with anemia. Cut a ripe golden apple, add water and cook until the pieces soften. Then squeeze out the juice and boil it.

For periodontitis

The mucilage of the seeds relieves gum inflammation. 10 grams of seeds are poured with 200 milliliters of warm water and shaken for 7 minutes. Lotions are made from the resulting mixture. The seeds must be whole.

For kidney diseases

The product has a diuretic effect, so it is indicated for kidney pathologies. A decoction is prepared from the leaves, which is drunk three times a day, 1 large spoon.

What can you eat?

They eat not only fruits, but also leaves and seeds.

Benefits of quince leaves

Fresh or dried leaves are brewed and drunk as tea or decoction. The leaves help with liver diseases, pathologies of the digestive tract, and pancreas. Helps stop bleeding from cuts. Fight colds, flu, bronchitis. Rinsing your mouth with a decoction restores gums.

Fruit seeds

Their usefulness is valuable for women. The mucus contained on the surface stops uterine bleeding.

Fruit pulp

It does an excellent job of removing excess fluid and relieves swelling in heart and kidney failure.

Popular traditional medicine recipes

There are many options for preparing the fruit.

Quince and dried fruit compote

The fruits are crushed and dried fruits are washed. Pour boiling water, add a little sand and boil for 25 minutes. Then leave for 1 hour.

Quince juice

When the fruit is boiled, the juice is separated from the pulp and granulated sugar is added. The combination of quince juice and apple juice is interesting.

Quince tea

You will need dried fruit, apples and raspberries in a 1:1 ratio. The mixture is stirred. To brew, take half a tablespoon and pour a glass of boiling water, add honey.

Quince jelly

The chopped slices are placed in a saucepan and boiled in water until soft. The pulp is passed through cheesecloth. Sugar is added to the resulting juice - 750 grams per liter. Place on fire and cook until the mixture thickens. At the end, add citric acid, pour into molds and cool.

Marmalade

The quince is baked and passed through a meat grinder. Add sand and beat until smooth. Then cook until the mixture thickens. Place on a flat surface, wait for it to cool and cut into pieces. Store in glass containers.

Quince jam

Golden apples are cut, boiled for 10 minutes, poured with sugar syrup and left for 4 hours. Then cook until done.

Infusion of leaves

1 tablespoon is poured with 500 grams of boiling water and allowed to stand for 1 hour. Drink half a glass three times a day. This helps with coughs and pneumonia. The effect is noticeable after 2-5 days.

Hemostatic decoction of fresh or dried seeds

Pour 1 tablespoon of seeds into a glass of water and cook for 5 minutes.

Quince in cosmetology

Fruits are used not only for medicinal purposes and cooking, but also as cosmetic ingredients and masks.

Lotions and masks for face and hands

Recommended for oily skin and people with enlarged pores. For lotion, whisk chicken protein, drip a little camphor alcohol, cologne and quince juice in equal quantities. This product is used to treat the skin every day. As a result, the skin will become refreshed, soft, velvety, and the pores will narrow.

The mask is prepared as follows: fresh fruit grind into pulp. This mixture is placed on the face, neck, left for a quarter of an hour and washed off with warm water. You need to apply the mask 15 times.

Infusion against seborrhea

A decoction of the leaves colors gray hair and gets rid of dandruff. 200 grams of leaves are poured with two liters of boiling water and left for 1 hour. Then rinse your hair three times a week.

Contraindications for use and harm to the fruit

If you have stomach or intestinal problems, you should not eat raw quince. If there is constant stress on the vocal cords, then you need to limit the consumption of golden apples.

It is forbidden to eat fruits if you have pleurisy and chronic constipation. This will only make the disease worse. Quince is one of the healthiest fruits. It has a wide range of beneficial effects for humans. It strengthens the immune system and has a beneficial effect on the genitourinary system, heart, and blood vessels.

And this is not at all accidental.

The species looks great as a protective barrier along a narrow country path. And the bushes look especially colorful during the flowering period. The bright red-pink flowers of the plant go well in the garden with most decorative species.

The main value is its round, dense fruits, which abundantly cover the shoots. In addition to important vitamins, they are rich in a whole range of useful substances that can please not only with their unusual taste characteristics, but also with a powerful beneficial effect on the overall health of the body.

And today we have to discover Japanese quince more deeply, as well as all sorts of beneficial properties and contraindications for using it for medical purposes.

Brief description

Belongs to dicotyledonous flowering plants. The natural habitat of the species is Japan; the plant is also widespread in Europe and China.

Regarding botanical taxonomy, the species belongs to the genus Chaenomeles of the Rosaceae family. That is why Japanese quince is so similar in external description with many economic rosaceae, popular in the garden.

Chaenomeles is a deciduous low shrub, maximum height which does not exceed 3 m. Young shoots have a bright color, which over time changes to brownish-black. The scaly-felt structure of the outer integument of mature branches changes to smooth and bare.

The leaves are small in size, obovate or spatulate in shape, tapering towards the base, with a serrated edge. Their length on average does not exceed 5 cm and width 3 cm.

During the flowering period, the shrub is covered with small ones. Their size in diameter does not exceed 4 cm, and the shades are dominated by bright pink or red-orange shades. The sepals and petals are ovoid in shape.
After flowering, apple-shaped green fruits, almost spherical in shape, appear on the bush, which after full ripening become a delicate yellow hue. The pulp of the fruit is edible, but very hard and dense with abundant inclusions of small brown seeds.

Chemical composition of fruits

Chaenomeles fruits are rich in many useful substances and compounds. IN ripe fruits contains about 12-13% percent sugars. Among them, fructose, glucose and sucrose predominate, which are in the following ratio of 3: 2: 1.

In addition to sugars, quince fruits contain a huge amount of organic acids (from 1 to 4%), including the greatest number presented: apple, lemon, tartaric, ascorbic, fumaric and chlorogenic.

In addition, traces of caffeic, coumaric, folic and quinic acids have recently been found.

The pulp of Chaenomeles fruits is rich in vitamins and beneficial microelements. Among them are vitamins A, E, C, PP, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), traces of vitamin K. Microelements are represented by: iron, cobalt, nickel, boron, manganese, titanium, copper, aluminum.

Useful and healing properties

Derivatives of Chaenomeles fruits have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and diuretic effects on the human body.

Vitamin C contained in the fruit promotes the abundant production of interferon, as a result of which the body can instantly cope with any infectious colds, and also strengthen general immunity.

In addition, the medicinal properties of Japanese quince contribute to the normalization of nervous and muscle activity, improvement of the body's metabolic processes, restoration and acceleration of basic biochemical reactions.
Infusions and decoctions of fruits are used as hemostatic and tonic agents. Often fresh fruits of a bush in folk medicine used to achieve a choleretic or diuretic effect, which facilitates the introduction of waste, harmful substances, toxins from the body, and also promotes the regeneration of tissues of the genitourinary system and liver.

The fiber-rich pulp is actively used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. In case of heart failure or edema, quince is able to remove excess fluid from the body, which facilitates the course of the disease.

In addition, in general medical therapy, the fruits of this plant are used to eliminate the local irritating effects of chemicals on the human body and slow down their absorption, as well as to alleviate severe toxicosis in women during pregnancy.

Japanese quince seeds have found their use in the preparation of expectorant and enveloping folk remedies.

Did you know?Türkiye occupies the first place of honor in the industrial procurement of quince. This country produces one fifth of the world's quince crop.

Traditional medicine recipes

In folk medicine, both the fruits and leaves of quince are actively used for the preparation of medicinal products, and a complete surprise for many is the fact that even its seeds are suitable for the preparation of medicinal products.

Let's take a closer look at the most popular traditional methods preparation of medicines from chaenomeles.

A decoction from the seeds of the plant for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract has an enveloping, healing and anti-inflammatory effect on a person, and for a cold, such a remedy will help eliminate bronchitis and other manifestations of the disease.

Important! When preparing preparations from quince seeds, grinding the seeds is strictly prohibited, since in this case toxic substances will be released into the infusion, which can lead to severe poisoning.

To alleviate arterial hypertension, traditional medicine recommends an alcohol infusion from the leaves of the bush.

To do this, 100 g of finely crushed fresh leaves are poured into 250 ml of vodka and infused for 7 days, after which it is filtered through cheesecloth. The resulting product is taken 20 drops 2 times a day.

A decoction of chaenomeles leaves helps eliminate symptoms of bronchial asthma and inflammatory diseases of the stomach. To prepare it, 5 g of leaves are poured into 250 ml of boiling water and left in a water bath for about 15 minutes.

After this, the mixture must be removed from the heat, allowed to cool for 45 minutes, and then strain. Take the infusion no more than 4 times a day, 2 tablespoons before meals.

A decoction of quince fruits or syrup helps improve the condition of the blood system and treat anemia, general immunity and the course of colds.

In order to prepare the syrup, you need to peel the fresh fruits, chop them finely, add a glass of water and cook until they become soft.

After this, remove the pulp and strain it through a sieve. The resulting liquid must be boiled until it reaches the consistency of syrup.
In order to get a decoction of quince, pour 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fruit into 250 ml of boiling water and boil for about 10-15 minutes. After this, the mixture is covered with a lid and left for 30 minutes.

The resulting decoction is filtered through cheesecloth and taken before meals, 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.

Important!You should not overuse quince products, as long-term use can cause constipation. And during breastfeeding, an overdose of the mother’s body with highly active quince components can lead to constipation and colic in the baby.

Application in cosmetology

In cosmetology, quince has found its use as widely as in folk medicine. Using juice from fresh fruits at home, you can remove freckles and improve the general condition and color of your facial skin.

In addition, the juice of the fruit is one of them the best means which helps to properly care for oily skin. Daily rubbing of quince seed infusions into the face will help normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

In addition, using lotions from this decoction can quite effectively eliminate puffiness and age-related changes around the eyes, as well as give the face youth and freshness.
A decoction of the leaves of the plant helps to mask gray hair, strengthen them and improve the overall condition of the scalp. A water infusion will help eliminate dandruff, brittleness and excessive oiliness of hair, and cope with exacerbations of seborrhea and similar diseases.

In addition, Japanese quince products are an ideal component for creating various lotions and masks to care for any skin type.

Collection, preparation and storage of medicinal raw materials

Since the fruits of the bush, like most plants, are a seasonal product, there is an urgent need to preserve until the next season not only the taste, but also the beneficial qualities of Japanese quince derivatives to the maximum.

For this purpose, in folk practice, a lot of recipes for preparing it for the winter were invented, which we will talk about later.

Fruit

The fruits are harvested only after they are fully ripe. In this case, they accumulate the maximum amount of necessary nutrients. A clear sign of a ripe fruit is a change in its color from pale green to bright yellow or orange.

Did you know?Quince is one of the most ancient plants used in medical practice. The ancient Greeks were involved in the collection and preparation of bush fruits.

The ideal period for collecting is late autumn, but you need to do it before the first frost.

Preparation of jam: the fruits of the plant are cleaned, crushed and poured with boiling syrup. For 1 kg of fruit use 1.5 kg of sugar and 400-500 ml of water. After this, the mixture is boiled for about 5 minutes and removed from the heat for 6 hours to infuse. After this, boil for no more than 5 minutes and remove from heat for 12 hours. The procedure is carried out 5 times, after which the jam is ready for sterilization and pouring into jars.
Preparation of candied fruits: the fruits of the bush are cleaned, finely chopped and poured with hot syrup. For 1 kg of fruit take 1.2 kg of sugar and 600-700 ml of water. The mixture is infused for about 6 hours, then boiled for 5 minutes and left to infuse for about 12 hours. After which the procedure is carried out 4 more times, then the liquid is removed through a sieve, and the remaining fruits are dried.
Boiling to the state of marmalade: peeled and finely chopped fruits are rubbed through a metal sieve or meat grinder and 1.3 kg of sugar is added per 1 cl of fruits. Next, the mixture is boiled until a characteristic viscous consistency appears, sterilized and poured into jars.
Dried fruits: the fruits are peeled, finely chopped and dried in a warm place until they reach their characteristic condition. The seeds can also be dried and used to prepare infusions in the winter.

Quince is one of those fruits that are only used for processing and are not eaten raw. It is a fruit that has external similarities with a pear and an apple at the same time. At the same time, its taste is tart, astringent, its consistency is absolutely not juicy, in general, there are few eaters for it.

But you can make excellent jams from it and even use quince in the treatment of certain diseases. All this and more will be discussed in this article.

First, you can get to know this fruit better. It grows on a tree of the same name. The plant is distributed almost everywhere and is cultivated culturally.

In the wild, the fruits do not weigh more than the average apple, and if the quince is properly cared for, the tree will thank the owner with fruits weighing up to two kilograms.

And now the question arises: why was it cultivated at all, if taste qualities and the consistency leaves much to be desired? It's all about its beneficial properties and the chemical composition of the fruit.

It contains vitamins B, E, C, A, PP, various acids, macro- and microelements, essential oils, fructose, but the main component in this case is iron. The fact is that 100 g of quince contains its daily requirement for a person.

Based on the chemical composition of quince, one can highlight its beneficial properties and areas of application. I would like to immediately note that not only quince fruits are used, but also the seeds inside them, since they also contain a lot of useful substances.

But these seeds can only be used in their whole form and should not be crushed under any circumstances, as the hydrocyanic acid they contain will cause serious food poisoning.

So, the effects of quince on the body:

relieves pain and inflammation;
softens the skin;
used as a bile and diuretic;
excellent antioxidant;
has an antimicrobial effect;
strengthens the immune system;
stops bleeding;
used as an antiemetic;
improves digestion and gastrointestinal condition.

This is only an approximate list of beneficial properties, but thanks to them, quince is widely used for medicinal purposes and cosmetology. In the first case, its pulp, juice and seeds are used internally, and for external use they are used as a basis for compresses, lotions, creams and masks.

Contraindications

Quince also has its contraindications.

It is not recommended for people suffering from constipation.
It can also cause damage to the vocal cords.
Well, it is necessary to take into account the possible manifestation of allergies, but this already refers to individual intolerance.

That's all, in other cases the use of quince is allowed and encouraged. Now you can learn more about the effects of quince and all possible options its use on the body of women, men and children.

For women Quince is useful during pregnancy, as it has a diuretic effect and will help remove all toxins from the body. It is no secret that a pregnant woman may develop hemorrhoids. In this case, quince-based lotions will help. Also, for women who feel the uterus, enemas from quince decoction are recommended.

For men quince is also very useful, in particular for maintaining their male “strength”. Since quince improves blood circulation, this has a good effect on potency. One of the factors reducing it can be inflammation of the urethra and prostate gland. In these cases, quince will also help. After shaving, you can soothe irritated facial skin with a decoction of the seeds of the fruit.

For children The use of quince is recommended according to the age of the child. For example, until one year it is served only baked, and then it can be eaten fresh, however, the portions should be small. An excellent substitute for quince tablets that bring down the temperature during a cold.

Due to its beneficial properties and effects on the human body, quince is widely used in alternative folk medicine and cosmetology. What specific home remedies can be prepared from it and for what diseases they can be taken, all this will be described below.

To begin with, we will look at examples of the use of quince in cosmetology and recipes that tell how to prepare cosmetics yourself at home to improve the condition of the skin of the face and neck, hands, and hair.

Quince recipes for the beauty of the face, neck, hands, hair

Face and neck mask recipe for all skin types

To prepare the mask, you only need the pulp of one quince fruit, peeled and seeds removed. Grind it on a fine grater and mix with 1 tsp. oatmeal and 1 tsp. corn starch.

Apply the mixture to the face and neck and rinse after 25 minutes with warm water. This mask nourishes the skin very well and makes it firm and elastic. Since the mask is universal, it will suit everyone.

Scrub recipe for face and neck skin

It has only two components: coarse salt and peeled quince fruit. Grind the seeds and pulp, mix everything and apply to the skin. Rub in the same way as a regular scrub, using circular movements for a couple of minutes. Then rinse with water and apply face cream. The skin will be cleansed, and the essential oils contained in quince will improve its appearance.

Recipe for strengthening hair

In this case, dried leaves of the quince tree are used. The recipe is simple: pour 100 g of leaves with a liter of boiling water and leave to steep for one hour. It is recommended to rinse your hair with this infusion until three times per week.

Hand recipe

It involves creating an alcohol-based quince tincture. The result is an antibacterial liquid for wiping the skin of your hands and cleansing it. To prepare it, you need to take a quince fruit, peeled from seeds and skin, and pour a glass of vodka or diluted alcohol. Infuse the mixture for two weeks, then filter. After this, add 1 tbsp glycerin to the resulting tincture.

Of course, not all recipes for using quince for cosmetic purposes are given here; in fact, there are a lot of them. In this case, methods are described in which a small amount of ingredients is used, which does not affect their effectiveness.

Recipes from quince traditional medicine

In folk medicine, the fruits, seeds, leaves, peel and even bark of the quince tree are also very widely used. To verify this, you can familiarize yourself with several recipes against specific diseases.

Recipe I. For anemia

You need to make syrup from quince pulp. You need to chop it into small pieces and cook. When the mass becomes soft, squeeze out the juice and cook further to obtain a thick consistency.

Recipe II. If kidney function is impaired

In this case, it is recommended to include quince-based tea in your daily diet. Take 1 tbsp for a glass of boiling water. seeds and 1 tbsp. spoon of leaves, add the specified amount of water and cook for five minutes. Then cool and strain through cheesecloth. This tea should be consumed before meals at least 1 tbsp. three times a day.

Recipe III. For bronchial asthma

Quince leaves will help here. It is necessary to pour boiling water over them in the amount of five and cook in a saucepan for about a quarter of an hour. Then remove from heat, cool and squeeze through cheesecloth. Leave to infuse for several hours. Take 3…4 tbsp. at a time before meals three times a day. The water tincture itself can be stored for no more than two days.

Recipe IV. For uterine bleeding

The decoction is prepared from dried quince fruits. You need to take it 1 tbsp. a day before meals, and it is prepared as follows: pour 5 g of dry quince with 50 ml of boiling water.

Recipe V. For swelling and diarrhea

Peel and seed two quince fruits and cut into small pieces. Pour 3 cups of water into a saucepan and cook for 10 minutes over low heat. It is recommended to consume the resulting decoction after an hour of infusion, half a glass a day before meals.

Recipe VI. To normalize digestive processes

Here it is assumed that dry quince partition chambers will be used. Their 1 tbsp. It is necessary to brew it in a glass of boiling water and leave it to brew in a thermos for at least three hours. Infusion take 2 tbsp. three times a day before meals.

Recipe VII. For stomach diseases

The simplest recipe. It is necessary to boil the peeled quince pulp and take 1 tbsp. before eating.

Quince seed recipes

Separately, I would like to talk about the use of quince seeds in folk medicine. As mentioned above, they cannot be taken orally, but it is also possible to make infusions and decoctions from whole seeds, since they, and especially the white part, contain a wide range of useful substances. Below are several recipes using these seeds for various types of diseases.

Recipe I. For constipation

It is supposed to fill the seeds with cold water. The proportions of the infusion of quince seeds and water are 1:20, respectively. Let it brew for several hours, and after this time you can start using it twice a day.

Recipe II. For bronchitis

An infusion of quince seeds is also made on cold water. 1 tbsp. seeds, pour a glass of water and shake the mixture for several minutes. Use the infusion 4 tbsp. a day half an hour before meals.

Recipe III. For heavy periods

You need to boil 8 seeds in 200 ml of boiling water for three minutes. It is recommended to drink this decoction 3 times a day, ½ cup.

Recipe IV. For dry cough

Pour 10 g of seeds into 1 cup of boiling water and cook for up to 15 minutes in a water bath. Then cool the mixture and squeeze well. It is recommended to take this decoction three times a day, 100 ml before meals.

External use

The options for oral administration were discussed above. various diseases. But decoctions and infusions of quince and all its components can also be used for external use. For example, as a lotion for dermatitis or burns.

For this it is necessary fresh leaves Brew quinces (4 pieces) or dried (1 tbsp) in a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour. After the specified time, fold the bandage several times, soak in the resulting infusion and apply to the affected areas of the skin. However, I would like to immediately note that such lotions are not suitable for newly opened wounds.

Another example of the external use of quince is mouth rinse for periodontal disease. To prepare the composition you will need:

1 tsp quince tree bark, previously crushed. Pour 1.5 cups of boiling water and cook everything together in a saucepan for 30 minutes. When the broth is ready, it needs to be cooled and strained.

Quince will also help people with excessive sweating of the feet. In this case, warm baths are recommended. For this you will need 1 tbsp. quince leaves and a glass of boiling water. Cook everything together for 10 minutes, cool slightly and pour into a bowl. It is recommended to soak your feet in this decoction for a quarter of an hour.

Video about the benefits and harms of quince

Japanese quince - benefits and harm

Separately, I would like to mention such a variety of quince as Japanese quince. Now it is he who is popular among Russian gardeners. In this case, they are attracted by the unpretentiousness and frost resistance of this shrub.

As for the content of useful substances in the fruits, their indicator is 4 times higher than that of common quince. Therefore, it is often recommended to dilute its juice with water before drinking. You can also use it to prepare a preparation for the winter, which will preserve all the beneficial properties of this fruit.

To prepare it, you will need peeled fruits, minced through a meat grinder, and sugar, all in a 1:1 ratio. Mix all ingredients well and place in a jar with a lid. Store the composition in the refrigerator and consume in the amount of 1 tsp. per day with a glass of water.

In conclusion, I would like to say that many people refuse to eat quince due to the fact that in its raw form it is inedible, but in vain. When heated, quince acquires a sweet and pleasant taste. It is widely used in cooking not only for jams and preserves, but also for preparing various dishes and side dishes. Therefore, one should not underestimate the taste of quince.

And what can we say about its beneficial properties and effect on the human body. Thus, you shouldn’t give up quince, but you just need to know how to prepare it correctly and for what purposes to use it.

One of the most ancient species of fruit trees is quince; its history goes back about four thousand years. Only one variety grows in the wild; breeders have bred several cultural varieties quinces. They differ from each other in their ability to tolerate low temperatures during wintering, the height of the trees, and some properties of the pulp. But they are all united by a high yield of aromatic fruits, which are valuable not only in cooking, but also in medicine. Read more about the beneficial properties of quince and contraindications in this article.

Common quince— Cydonia vulgaris, a representative of the Rosaceae family. This is a small tree or shrub with deflected branches; young trees have pubescent shoots. The height of quince usually does not exceed three meters, with good conditions When growing, the tree can reach 5-7 meters in height. The branches are covered with alternate ovate leaves of a dark green color with a solid edge, on short petioles, bare on top, and tomentose-pubescent on the underside. Quince flowers are large in size, resemble the flowers of an apple tree in appearance, are arranged singly on short stalks, and have a tomentose-pubescent calyx.

The five petals of the corolla are obovate in shape and pinkish-white in color. The fruits are lemon-colored, large in size, and can be in the shape of an apple or pear. The skin is covered with a light fluff, which disappears when the fruit ripens. The pulp of the fruit is hard, sweet and sour taste, tart. Brown, ovoid seeds, when cut, reveal two white cotyledons. Quince blooms from May to June, fruiting begins in September, the fruits are collected as they ripen. Quince can grow everywhere; it is cultivated in America, throughout European territory, in Australia, and Central Asia.

Collection and procurement of raw materials

Used for medicinal purposes leaves, fruits and seeds quinces. The leaves are harvested in the summer months, preferably in June or July, and the fruits are harvested after full ripening. The fruits can be stored unprocessed for about five months. After removal from the fruit, the seeds are dried in dryers at 50 degrees and stored in a sealed container for one year. If the seeds are harvested in a factory, you need to ensure that the quince seeds do not contain apple and pear seeds as an impurity. You can distinguish quince seeds by their matte surface and slimy grayish coating. When chewed, a faint almond taste is revealed. The leaves are dried in air or dryers at 40-50 degrees and periodically stirring. They can also be stored in a sealed container for one year. When collecting raw materials, it is necessary to protect the face with a damp gauze bandage, since the villi covering the leaves and fruits can irritate the upper respiratory tract, which leads to coughing and discomfort in the nasopharynx.

Chemical composition of raw materials

The composition of the fruits includes:

Sahara,
pectin and tannins,
gum,
ascorbic acid,
malic and citric acids,
essential oils,
microelements,
various vitamins.

A lot in pulp:

gland,
magnesium,
copper,
phosphorus and potassium;

The unique aroma of quince fruits is given by esters: pelargone- and enanth-ethyl.

Useful properties of quince

Thanks to its beneficial properties and rich chemical composition the use of quince has a beneficial effect on digestive and urinary systems . Due to the high content of pectin, fruits must be included in the diet of people with stomach diseases, especially if they are accompanied by frequent diarrhea.

Noted antiulcer and antibacterial action quince pulp. Quince also has a diuretic effect for edema and chronic kidney diseases. The large amount of iron in the fruits allows them to be used to treat anemia and conditions after infectious diseases.

Quince seeds used for spastic colitis to relieve spasms, as an enveloping and bactericidal agent. Also, a decoction of the seeds is effective for coughs as an expectorant and softener for the respiratory tract.

Use of quince in medicine

The pharmaceutical industry does not produce medicines from quince, but you can prepare them yourself. From seeds a mucous decoction is prepared: it is taken for various diseases of the stomach and intestines, after suffering infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract to normalize its activity. The decoction is useful for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Unground seeds are used to obtain a cold infusion. The mucous mass formed as a result of infusion has a positive effect on intestinal function and is used externally in the form of compresses for burns and eye diseases.

Quince leaf infusion taken for inflammation of the gastric mucosa, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, bronchial asthma.

Consumption of fresh quince fruits recommended for diseases of the liver, stomach, diarrhea, tuberculosis. Fresh juice is used for gargling for throat diseases and for lotions in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Quince removes various toxic substances from the body; it is especially effective in case of poisoning with heavy metals and radionuclides. To treat anemia, fresh fruits and syrup from them are used.

Quince pulp has regenerative properties; it is used to soften dry and cracking skin and to heal wounds.

Contraindications

The astringent properties of quince can negatively affect the well-being of patients with constipation and lead to intestinal irritation. You cannot use crushed seeds, chew them or eat them because they contain some toxic substances. Fresh pulp can irritate the vocal cords. When fresh fruits are consumed by nursing mothers, constipation may occur in children, since astringents easily pass into milk.

Application in other industries

Quince fruits unsuitable for consumption without heat treatment. They are used to prepare aromatic jams, preserves, drinks, marmalade, and candied fruits. Pieces of fresh fruit can be added to tea instead of lemon. Oriental cooks stuff quince with minced meat and beans and use it as a base for various sauces and seasonings. In cosmetology, fruit juice is used to improve complexion, remove freckles, soften the skin and make it smooth. An infusion of leaves helps with the initial stages of baldness and dandruff.

Quince wood Due to its unique ability to polish, it is used by craftsmen in India and Central Asia as a material for the manufacture of various artistic objects. The use of the crop in green construction is promising due to the increased drought resistance of trees and undemandingness to soils. Quince tolerates shaping pruning well and has an attractive appearance in the fall thanks to its bright yellow fruits.

Growing

Quince is cultivated as a fruit, medicinal and ornamental species. Growing trees is not difficult, since quince easily tolerates drought, can grow on any soil, and there are frost-resistant varieties. The main requirement for cultivation is sufficient lighting; in the shade, quince blooms and bears fruit weakly, the fruits lose their unique aroma. A prolonged lack of moisture negatively affects the quality of fruit pulp: it becomes hard.

However, excess moisture can also worsen the taste of quince. The advantage of quince trees over apple and pear trees is the lack of periodicity in fruiting, that is, the quince harvest can be obtained annually. The tree can bear fruit for several decades in a row without deteriorating in the quality of the fruit. Quince is propagated by cuttings, layering, sprouts and seeds, and the characteristics of the variety can only be preserved through vegetative propagation.

Avicenna in the “Canons of Medical Medicine” devoted an entire chapter to the beneficial properties of this wonderful plant. Many of his recipes for using quince to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and skin diseases have survived to this day.

Mentions of quince were found in ancient greek myths, its fruits had to be present on the wedding table in Ancient Greece, symbolizing love and fertility.

So that quince brings benefits to the body and not harm- take everything into account recommendations from experts according to its use.