The quince is the only member of the Cydonia genus in the Rosaceae family. The family Rosaceae consists of apples, pears, and peaches. Quince is a deciduous tree with complex, aromatic, bright golden yellow fruit. Though it is usually eaten raw, it can be processed into jam, marmalade, jelly, or alcoholic beverages.
Because of the attractive pale pink color of the leaves, it is often grown as an ornamental plant at blossom gardens. The quince fruit was also known as Akkadians, and Quinces flourished in the heat of the Mesopotamian plain.
Interesting Facts about Quince
Compounds power: Compounds separated from quince have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels; they can prevent the development of specific types of cancer cells and treat inflammatory bowel disease.
Fruit properties: – Quince produces a tropical, strong, and fruity aroma for which it is best known. In ancient Greece, quince was used in wedding ceremonies and contributed to such occasions. The bride was reported to eat quince to keep her lips perfumed and keep her pleasantly smelling.
Cultivation: – The cultivation of quince started around 4000 years ago. It is such an old plantation that it can relate to the old medicinal treatment done before the invention of allopathy.
The Greek connection: – The Greeks associated quince with Cydonia on Crete since it is the only species available in this genus. It can be compared as well as differentiated from pears and peach easily.
Occurrence: – Quince can be found on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and the locations include northern Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Afghanistan, south-west Asia, and Armenia.
Terminology: – It is used as a derogatory term in Turkish. In Turkey, ‘ayvayi yemek’ means ‘to eat the quince.’ It indicates an unpleasant situation or a nasty incident to avoid.
The leaves: – The quince leaves are ovate and straightforward with smooth margins. It has a dense layer of white hairs on the surface and is pale green-colored, and the leaves are alternatively arranged on the branches.
Greek Myths: – Quince is used as a lightly ribald term for teenage breasts, as Greek poets such as Aristophanes mentioned.
Quince’s growth – this is a small tree that can grow 16 to 26 feet high, and it can be cultivated as well as self-pollinated.
Fruits production: – The fruits are available during the spring and summer. Since quince flowers attract bees, there is natural pollination, but it can also perform self-pollination.
The flowers: – The individual flowers produced are mainly white or pink and at the end of the branches.
Consumption of quince: – Tropical quince can be eaten raw, and these grow in tropical areas and produce fruit with soft flesh which tastes between a pear and an apple.
Helps to treat ulcers: – A unique compound H Pylori bacterium, helps prevent stomach ulcers, even those caused due to alcohol consumption. The ulcers caused by stress and improper nutrition can also be treated naturally with quince.
Anti-inflammatory characteristics: – As quince is rich in vitamin C and can supply 25 percent of the daily allowance, it is highly recommended as an anti-inflammatory fruit. With its intake, we can boost our immunity levels and treat inflammation.
The antibacterial properties: – The antibacterial properties of this fruit are essential to prevent the growth and spread of harmful bacteria, and it can treat pathogens such as E-Coli and S. aureus.
Anti-viral properties: – it is reported the quince is rich in phenolics. Since phenolics are already established in western and traditional medicine due to their anti-influenza properties, quince is essential in the diet.
It is suitable for the cardiac system: – Cardiovascular system health can be enhanced with quince as it is rich in anthocyanins, chlorogenic acids, and flavonols along with proanthocyanidins and catechins. It can help you lower or control your blood pressure.
Beneficial for cholesterol levels: – Since quince fruits are rich in natural soluble fibers and cholesterol-free, it is good to eat them raw or boiled with cinnamon to make dessert. High cholesterol can be balanced, giving good long-term heart health.
As a stress reliever: – To reduce competitive lifestyle stress, one can start drinking quince juice regularly as it helps reduce a good amount of stress. The high quantity of antioxidants in the fruit gives you the natural ability to relax the mind.
Yoga and meditation: – Quince is an excellent diet for those who practice yoga and meditation as the properties also allow you to keep calm. It can be consumed in teas, infusions, and juices.
Solves digestive disorders: -The digestive problems arise mainly due to dysfunction of our gut tissue which can be protected by quince consumption. Most inflammatory bowel diseases and ulcerative colitis can be stopped with the help of regular consumption of quince.
Antioxidant properties: – Cell damage in the body due to free radicals and other deficiencies. Being a high-quality antioxidant, it can prevent cell damage and reduce metabolic stress, inflammation, and the risk of chronic diseases.
Helps control weight: – Overweight or obesity is a prime challenge today. You can choose your diet, and you can control your health. Quince is low in calories, and high-fiber fruit can quickly help maintain weight due to nutritional contents.
It may help reduce the risk of cancer: – The juice and pulp of quince are proved to contain very stringent properties of tannins (epicatechins and catechins). This property helps you to protect mucous membranes from cancers, and the toxins are mainly connected and neutralize the cancer cells.
Helps improve your eye’s health: Presence essential vitamins like B1, B3, B6, zinc, potassium, calcium, folate, and other minerals take care of eyesight and vision clarity. The minerals and nutrients lower the risk of various eye diseases.
Relieves allergy symptoms: – Many common allergic reactions, dermatitis, and asthma attacks can be suppressed with the help of quince juice or fruit. The essential compounds inhibit the immune cells, which activate allergies.
Beneficial for the liver: – Liver and stomach are significantly protected because of the resistant ingredients of bacteria. The antibacterial property of quince fruit or juice prevents pathogenic diseases.
Pets and diseases: – Larvae of some Lepidoptera species use quince as a food plant. The species include winter moth, coleophora, brown-tail, Bucculatrix pomifoliella, and others. Quince may develop fungal diseases in hot weather because it is a hardy shrub.
Medicinal Value: – As we discussed above, quince demonstrates a lot of medicinal properties and reduces the risk of many minor diseases like vomiting or nausea to major ones like ulcers and cancers.
With all the rich contents of nutrients and minerals, quince is just another example of the richness of Mother Nature. While it is pretty challenging to study and understand all the properties, health benefits, characteristics, and uses of quince and other fruits in nature, we must grab the opportunity to know what we can. It will help us improve our knowledge and enhance our health status if it is required to do so. We all must be thankful to God for providing us with several such organic cures with no side effects. It is such a privilege for human beings who are part of a glorious world filled with amazing things around us.
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