Fruit
Medlar
Medlar (Mespilus germanica) is an old European and West Asian pome fruit that is hard, astringent, and inedible until bletted—softened by frost or cool storage until the flesh turns brown, jammy, and apple-date sweet with winey notes. The open calyx end and russet skin mark the fruit; interior seeds are discarded. Cultivars such as Nottingham and Dutch remain orchard curiosities more than mass crops. Historically important in medieval and early modern Europe for winter fruit, medlar is now a specialty for preserves, cheese-board pastes, and heritage desserts. Bletting is essential: unbletted fruit puckers the mouth. Once soft, eat with a spoon or cook briefly into jellies and sauces; over-rotted fruit ferments and should be composted.
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A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat 0.05 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.11 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 4.67 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 13.4 g
- Dietary Fibre 1.94 g
- Total Sugars 10.6 g
- Complex / starch 1.02 g
- Protein 0.83 g
- Water 87.4 g
- Energy 55.4 kcal
- Water 87.4 g
- Carbohydrates 13.4 g
- Sugars 10.6 g
- Monosaccharides 7.42 g
- Disaccharides 3.18 g
- Starch 1.02 g
- Amylose 0.26 g
- Amylopectin 0.77 g
- Digestible Starch 0.87 g
- Resistant Starch 0.1 g
- Fibre 1.94 g
- Soluble Fibre 0.68 g
- Insoluble Fibre 1.26 g
- Protein 0.83 g
- Plant Protein 0.79 g
- Fat 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat 0.05 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.11 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Vitamins 61.9 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.03 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.04 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 0.38 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.19 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.07 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 0.9 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 13.6 µg
- Vitamin C 22 mg
- Vitamin E 0.27 mg
- Vitamin K 4.4 µg
- Minerals 305 mg
- Major Minerals 299 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.6 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 22 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.03 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.04 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 0.38 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.19 · vitamin-b6: 0.07 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 0.9 · vitamin-b9-folate: 13.6 · vitamin-e: 0.27 · vitamin-k: 4.4 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 4.67 · Potassium: 257 · Calcium: 37 · Iron: 1.2 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·
Fruit energy is mostly natural sugars with fibre and vitamin C varying by species.
History
Medlar was used as a fruit food in regional diets long before industrial packing and global year-round supply.
Trade, migration, and selection spread distinctive Medlar types and preparations into new climates and cuisines.
Modern production, storage, and transport made Medlar a regular purchase far from where it is grown or raised.
Cooks now treat Medlar as both staple and specialty, with more attention to provenance, variety, and form.