4 ms·

These are... nespole. I have a tree in my garden and we, in Italy, commonly eat them. A bit disappointed after the intriguing opening of the article. https://i

by mano78 6y ago

These are... nespole. I have a tree in my garden and we, in Italy, commonly eat them. A bit disappointed after the intriguing opening of the article. https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica

ithkuil 6y ago
I also have a "nespolo" tree. But honestly I don't know if it's a european or a japonica variant
- marton78 6y ago
  Oval, orange, edible in summer? Japonica. Round, brown, requires frost - European.
- pvaldes 6y ago
  If the tree keeps its dark green leaves in winter is japonica. If naked in winter and taking a good pinkish yellow color in fall, european.
greenyoda 6y ago
English version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica
sdoering 6y ago
I also have one in my garden. In German it is called "Mispel". I wouldn't call it forgotten although I have to attest that probably only history or plant nerds know of it. As we grow a lot of historic varieties of vegetables a "Mispel" was not so unusual for us.
- usrusr 6y ago
  And living in a region where traditionally all hard liquor is from trees, the Mispel one happens to be my unquestioned favorite, after a good meal at the pub. I'd describe the tiny fruit aroma hint that is usual with fruit liquor as a touch of marzipan that works much better than I'd expect upon hearing this description (I'd definitely not be eager to try something advertised as marzipan liquor). Perhaps it's no coincidence that the article doesn't mention Germany at all, it might ruin the "forgotten" hook. (no you can't walk into a German supermarket and walk out with a bag full of Mispels, it's not that un-forgotten)
  - pvaldes 6y ago
    Could deserve a try. How is the recipe?
    - usrusr 6y ago
      Asking the wrong person, I only know how to read the chalkboard that lists the "fruits" available. This is the supplier, basically the "industry giant" amongst the traditional distillers of the region (most others aren't full time occupations I think): https://www.destillerie-haas.com/epages/61827331.mobile/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61827331/Products/%22Mispel%20Brand%22/SubProducts/%22Mispel%20Brand-0001%22 https://www.destillerie-haas.com/epages/61827331.mobile/de_D...
  - soco 6y ago
    Try in a Turkish shop (in Germany I mean), you'll find them for sure.
nkurz 6y ago
I think you are confusing the "loquat" with the "medlar". The loquat is still relatively common, doesn't have a gaping open end, is yellow to orange, and can be eaten out of hand. The medlar is darker in color, has a very open calyx, and is practically inedible direct from the tree. The names are sometimes confused, with the loquat sometimes called a "Japanese medlar". Anyway, did yours possibly match this one instead: http://italywithgusto.com/praise-to-the-italian-loquat-fruit/ http://italywithgusto.com/praise-to-the-italian-loquat-fruit...?
- mano78 6y ago
  I don't think so: it's open ended indeed, and the wikipedia article I linked matches the latin name
  - nkurz 6y ago
    You are right that depending on where you are, it could be either. The English language Wikipedia article for 'loquat'[1] suggests that Southern Italy uses 'nespolo' for 'loquat', while Northern uses it for 'medlar'. But if it's tasty and light orange colored when you eat it ripe directly from the tree, it's definitely a loquat. While if it's at all appealing after it's been stored for a few months and turned brown and mushy, it's a medlar. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loquat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loquat
Schnouki 6y ago
Pretty common in France too: the tree is néflier, the fruit is nèfle. Disappointed too as I could find this with a simple Wikipedia search...
marton78 6y ago
Yeah. Naspolya. We have them in Hungary, too, although they have become less and less common over the years.
saberdancer 6y ago
Yeah, I've eaten these. Never knew they were "rare".
rwmj 6y ago
They're not particularly rare in England (although rarely eaten). You see them a lot in stately homes. And although I don't live in one of those, I have one in my back garden.
- rbirkby 6y ago
  I had a large tree in the garden of my previous house. I used to make significant quantities of medlar jelly every year and give the jars away to family and friends. The house was 400 years old, but the tree was significantly younger.
YeGoblynQueenne 6y ago
Aye, they're called "nespoles" in Corfu also and it's probably an Italian influence.
harperlee 6y ago
Nísperos, in Spain.

by mano78 6y ago

ithkuil 6y ago

I also have a "nespolo" tree. But honestly I don't know if it's a european or a japonica variant

marton78 6y ago
Oval, orange, edible in summer? Japonica. Round, brown, requires frost - European.
pvaldes 6y ago
If the tree keeps its dark green leaves in winter is japonica. If naked in winter and taking a good pinkish yellow color in fall, european.

greenyoda 6y ago

English version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica

sdoering 6y ago

I also have one in my garden. In German it is called "Mispel". I wouldn't call it forgotten although I have to attest that probably only history or plant nerds know of it. As we grow a lot of historic varieties of vegetables a "Mispel" was not so unusual for us.

usrusr 6y ago
And living in a region where traditionally all hard liquor is from trees, the Mispel one happens to be my unquestioned favorite, after a good meal at the pub. I'd describe the tiny fruit aroma hint that is usual with fruit liquor as a touch of marzipan that works much better than I'd expect upon hearing this description (I'd definitely not be eager to try something advertised as marzipan liquor). Perhaps it's no coincidence that the article doesn't mention Germany at all, it might ruin the "forgotten" hook. (no you can't walk into a German supermarket and walk out with a bag full of Mispels, it's not that un-forgotten)
- pvaldes 6y ago
  Could deserve a try. How is the recipe?
  - usrusr 6y ago
    Asking the wrong person, I only know how to read the chalkboard that lists the "fruits" available. This is the supplier, basically the "industry giant" amongst the traditional distillers of the region (most others aren't full time occupations I think): https://www.destillerie-haas.com/epages/61827331.mobile/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61827331/Products/%22Mispel%20Brand%22/SubProducts/%22Mispel%20Brand-0001%22 https://www.destillerie-haas.com/epages/61827331.mobile/de_D...
- soco 6y ago
  Try in a Turkish shop (in Germany I mean), you'll find them for sure.

nkurz 6y ago

I think you are confusing the "loquat" with the "medlar". The loquat is still relatively common, doesn't have a gaping open end, is yellow to orange, and can be eaten out of hand. The medlar is darker in color, has a very open calyx, and is practically inedible direct from the tree. The names are sometimes confused, with the loquat sometimes called a "Japanese medlar". Anyway, did yours possibly match this one instead: http://italywithgusto.com/praise-to-the-italian-loquat-fruit/ http://italywithgusto.com/praise-to-the-italian-loquat-fruit...?

mano78 6y ago
I don't think so: it's open ended indeed, and the wikipedia article I linked matches the latin name
- nkurz 6y ago
  You are right that depending on where you are, it could be either. The English language Wikipedia article for 'loquat'[1] suggests that Southern Italy uses 'nespolo' for 'loquat', while Northern uses it for 'medlar'. But if it's tasty and light orange colored when you eat it ripe directly from the tree, it's definitely a loquat. While if it's at all appealing after it's been stored for a few months and turned brown and mushy, it's a medlar. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loquat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loquat

Schnouki 6y ago

Pretty common in France too: the tree is néflier, the fruit is nèfle. Disappointed too as I could find this with a simple Wikipedia search...

marton78 6y ago

Yeah. Naspolya. We have them in Hungary, too, although they have become less and less common over the years.

saberdancer 6y ago

Yeah, I've eaten these. Never knew they were "rare".

rwmj 6y ago

They're not particularly rare in England (although rarely eaten). You see them a lot in stately homes. And although I don't live in one of those, I have one in my back garden.

rbirkby 6y ago
I had a large tree in the garden of my previous house. I used to make significant quantities of medlar jelly every year and give the jars away to family and friends. The house was 400 years old, but the tree was significantly younger.

YeGoblynQueenne 6y ago

Aye, they're called "nespoles" in Corfu also and it's probably an Italian influence.

harperlee 6y ago

Nísperos, in Spain.