Have you recently seen medlars in markets or grocery stores? Have you ever tried them? Nowadays, we often come across avocados, lychees, and mangoes, but medlars have been completely forgotten!

The medlar (Mespilus) belongs to the family Rosaceae (the rose family) and is closely related to the hawthorn. This tree produces fruit that ripens late and remains edible throughout the winter, even if left unharvested. It blooms in early May with large white flowers, and its fruit develops into a sweet and nutritious delicacy.

The fruit itself is edible, though the skin is not consumed. Only the soft, paste-like interior is eaten. The seeds are quite large and should be removed before eating. Ripe medlars are soft, juicy, and have a sweet-tart flavor. They can simply be peeled and eaten, or mashed slightly and sprinkled with cinnamon or cloves to be enjoyed as a fruit puree or raw jam.