In late autumn quinces, Cydonia Oblunga appear on our markets with their bright golden yellow color and intense perfume. Quince has an hybrid shape between an apple and a pear, a hard flesh and a very acid taste. The unripe fruit has a downy skin, while the ripened fruit has the smooth texture of its relatives (apples and pears). They’re inedible if eaten raw so they’re mainly used for marmalade, preserves, cotognata and mostarda. In the old days they were placed in the closet to perfume the linens. If you want to have a natural air freshener, take a fruit with the stem and peel it, insert some cloves in it (optional) and hang it in your closet by the stem or in a room you’ll smell its fragrance for about 6 months. Continue reading →