Medlar, Nottingham

The cultivated Medlar probably originated in the Caucasus region, spreading through the Middle east in antiquity. Theophrastus knew it in Greece before 300BC and it was familiar to the Romans, Pliny writing about it in the first century. A Medlar seed was found in Roman Silchester, in Hampshire, so either they bought the fruit or it was already growing in Britain in the first century. The fruits were much favoured by the Romans who dedicated the tree to Saturn. Wild Medlar trees can still be found growing in SE Britain. The fruits are unusually shaped, flat, round, yellow-brown, from 2-4cm across, and usually heavily russeted. They have not always enjoyed popularity and few old trees are found. Although the fruit can be eaten uncooked, jelly, curd and cheese are just some of the uses. The trick in using Medlars is to judge finely the point of ripeness. They should be “bletted” or allowed to go soft, almost but not quite to the point of decay, before they are eaten or made into jelly. In these warmer Autumns, frost cannot be relied upon to soften the fruit, as once it was. The freezer might need to be called upon. The Nottingham variety is also known as Narrow-Leaved Dutch and the Common Medlar. It tends to form a spreading tree up to 30ft with quirky crooked upward progression. The flowers in early summer are fairly large and quite attractive. The Medar fruits form in September and are used or consumed in November.