Chaenomeles japonica

Today's the day ......................... for more blossom

This is the lovely red blossom of the japanese quince that you often see flowering in gardens at this time of the year.

The fruits that eventually form look a bit like a small apple. They are hard and very bitter and you would not want to eat them raw. They do however make wonderful marmalade and preserves, as they contain lots of pectin - more than apples in fact. They also contain more vitamin C than lemons (up to 150 mg/100 g).

I make quince and damson jelly. The damsons give the jelly its red colour and the flavour of the two fruits together is scrumptious ...................