Quince apples in short

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Quince: past, present and future	Legendary past → Venus emblem Present → fruit not very famous due to its sour taste Future → ambition: brighter future
Quince: origin and spread	Origin: Asia Minor Diffusion: Countries bordering the Mediterranean and China
Quince: short description	Sort of hybrid between pears and apples → the varieties of fruits that have a typical apple shape are called quince apples → the elongated shape gives the fruit the term "peri cotogni"
Quince: botanical description	Botanical name: Cydonia oblonga or Amygdalus persica Family: Rosaceae Subfamily: Pomoidae Tree height: generally between 4 and 6 meters Fruits: pomi (quince) of variable size and asymmetrical shape Pericarp: wrapped in a thick hair that disappears when fully ripe Seeds: numerous, have a polygonal shape and are piled up, glued by a mucilaginous film Pulp: compact, firm, acidulous and astringent. Rich in pectins Flowers: white and rosé Petals: 5 per flower Soil: well drained, not calcareous
Quince: food uses	Common apples ( Malus communis ) have replaced the consumption of quinces Use in the kitchen: thickener, preparation of mustards, jams, liqueurs, jellies, spirits
Cotognata	Particular jelly based on quince, typical of the town of Codogno (Lodi)
Sour taste of quince	Raw quince: acidulous taste due to the presence of sugars in the form of long chains Solution: heat treatment → breakdown of carbohydrate chains → sweet and intense flavor
Quince: nutritional properties (per 100 grams of product)	Kcal: 26/100 g of quince 84.3 g of water 6.3 g of sugars → fructose 6 g of fibers 3.4 grams divided between fats and proteins vitamins: A, C, B1 and B2 Mineral salts: potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium and magnesium.
Mala quince: therapeutic virtues	Quince leaves: toxic (presence of amygdalin) Decoction of leaves: anthelmintic properties (in the past) Pulp: tonic, astringent, anti-inflammatory properties of the gastro-intestinal tract Protection of the intestinal mucosa (tannins) Digestive (presence of malic acid) Laxative properties (cooked quince → fiber and pectin) Decoction / maceration: natural remedy against cough, loss of appetite and sore throat
Quinces: cosmetic uses	Mucilages (which surround the seeds): remedy for wrinkles and dehydration of the skin