Loquat
Scientific Name: Eriobotrya japonica
Family Name:
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The Loquat, also called Japanese or Chinese medlar (Eriobotrya japonica), imported from Japan at the end of the eighteenth century, was for a long time grown in France purely as an ornamental. It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that horticulturists became interested in the fruit, although it must be admitted that the spread of this species is mostly due to the fact that its fruits ripen extraordinarily early, at the beginning of the year. Today there is nothing unusual in having winter fruits in summer and vice versa, but in the past to have early fruits in the middle of winter was considered exceptional and somewhat luxurious. This is why the loquat became so popular, despite the fact that it is not one of the tastiest fruits. It should be picked when perfectly ripe, so that the sugary content and juicy and refreshing pulp are at their best. Generally it is eaten fresh, but it can be used to make delicious preserves and many types of confectionery. It can also be put, like some candied fruit, into various relishes, or used as the basis of a pleasant liqueur tasting of bitter almonds. As a whole the loquat is poor in nutritive qualities, although it is thirst-quenching and easily digestible. Advance, Premier, Tanaka, Olivier, and Pineapple are cultivars of the loquat, which is grown extensively in the southern states of America, and in Australia and southern Europe. [Bianchini, Francesco, Corbetta, Francesco, Pistoia, Marilena, The Complete Book of Fruits and Vegetables, United States Translation: Crown Publishers, New York, 1976; Originally published in Italy as I Frutti della Terra, Arnoldo Mondadori Publisher, Italy, 1973]