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Quinces (bot. Cydonia oblonga) are among the most popular fruits in German gardens thanks to their fresh, slightly bitter lemon aroma. The fruit, which comes from the Caucasus, is mainly known in the Mediterranean region and has no problems thriving in Germany, which subsequently leads to the popular quince harvest. You also have a quince tree in your garden and are now wondering when you can harvest the furry, yellow quinces?
harvest time
The harvest time of the quince is highly dependent on the location and the weather. Since it actually comes from warmer areas where it can ripen faster, the fruit can only be harvested at the end of the season. Cydonia oblonga has different harvest times that are close together and tend to blend into each other. When you can harvest the quince is listed below.
Quince tree with fruits
the beginning of October
At the beginning of October, the quince harvest in Germany is only possible if the weather is good and the care is right. Quinces are extremely sun-hungry and do not tolerate cold well. For this reason, in southwestern Germany such as Baden-Württemberg, the Palatinate and western Bavaria, the fruits often appear at the beginning of October. However, if the weather is particularly rough, this point in time can be pushed back further.
mid to late October
The rest of Germany usually only sees quince from the second half of October and even often at the end of October and less often at the beginning of November. The further north the quince grows, the longer it takes for the fruit to ripen. It also takes longer at altitudes that are cooler than the lowlands.
In summary, October is the typical harvest month for Cydonia oblonga and the quince is therefore one of the last fruits of the year. This makes it a fruit boost over the winter due to its numerous possible uses.
Tip: The individual harvest times of the quince can be extended if you choose late and early ripening varieties. For example, you can choose a variety that is ready to harvest in late September, while another is ready in mid-October and yet another in late October, which significantly increases potential yields.
harvest
When to harvest during harvest time
The harvest time itself does not directly describe when the quince should be harvested, but only the period in which the harvest is possible. When it comes to honey apple, the following points need to be considered that will determine the perfect time to harvest.
- color of the fruit
- fluff of the fruit
- night frosts
Harvest quince from the tree
use
At the beginning of fruit development and throughout the entire period up to harvest, the quince fruits are kept in a light shade of green, which turns increasingly yellowish from the end of September and beginning of October. As soon as the fruits have turned yellow, they can be harvested. However, they intensify in flavor if they linger for a while. This is where the night frosts come into play. You can delay the quince harvest, preferably until the characteristic down has fallen off, but harvest immediately when the first night frosts set in. The cold causes a strong loss of aroma.
Furthermore, the use is crucial:
- jam and Jelly: immediate harvest, since the pectin content is highest at this time
- fruit juices: as late as possible, otherwise the aroma for the juice will be too weak
- Compote: depending on the desired intensity of taste
- Liqueur: slightly earlier than sap, should not be exposed to frost
harvested quinces
These are just vague instructions, but they help to get the highest flavor potential out of the fruit. The timing of the harvest is up to you, you just have to pay attention to the color of the quinces and the first night frost so that you harvest neither too early nor too late. A big advantage of the fruits is the possibility to let them ripen on the windowsill for up to eight weeks. You should not touch any other fruit, otherwise the ripening process will be negatively affected and possible bruises may occur, as quinces are extremely sensitive.
Tip: If you want to have some of your quince harvest for a long time or if you have had a good harvest, you should save the rest. At a temperature of around 2°C, the fruit can easily be stored for up to two months, which is enough for most of the winter.