Medlar (Mespilus) is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the subfamily Maloideae of the family Rosaceae. One, Common Medlar Mespilus germanica, is a long-known native of southwest Asia and possibly also southeastern Europe, and the other, Stern’s Medlar Mespilus canescens, was recently (1990) discovered in North America.
They feature an unusual apple-like fruit, which requires bletting to eat, and was historically very common, though it is now rare.
Medlar fruit are very hard and acidic. They become edible after being softened (“bletted”) by frost, or naturally in storage given sufficient time. Once softening begins, the skin rapidly takes a wrinkled texture and turns dark brown, and the inside reduces to a consistency and flavour reminiscent of apple sauce.
