Did you know that medlar trees can be grown here in Middlesbrough? 🌳
If you’ve never heard of a medlar, you’re not alone. These fascinating fruit trees were once a favourite in medieval Britain but are now considered one of our forgotten fruits.
Medlars are small, deciduous trees that produce beautiful white blossoms in spring. These flowers provide a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinators before developing into the distinctive brown fruits that can be harvested later in the year.
A fruit with a difference
Medlars have an unusual characteristic that sets them apart from many other fruits: they aren’t ready to eat straight from the tree.
After harvesting, the fruit needs to soften and sweeten through a natural process called bletting. Over several weeks, the firm fruit becomes softer and develops a rich, aromatic flavour.
Once bletted, medlars can be used to make a variety of sweet treats, including jellies, desserts, preserves and other recipes.
Because medlars are rarely found in supermarkets and shops, growing your own can be a great way to experience this unusual fruit and reconnect with an often-forgotten part of Britain’s food-growing heritage.
Growing a greater variety of food
Medlars are a reminder that our gardens, allotments and community growing spaces can support much more than the familiar apples, strawberries and vegetables we see most often.
Growing a wider variety of fruit and plants can bring a range of benefits. Diverse planting can provide food and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, while growing food locally can help reduce the distance it needs to travel from producer to plate.
Perhaps just as importantly, growing less familiar crops gives us the opportunity to discover new flavours, learn about traditional foods and keep knowledge of our food-growing heritage alive.
At Nine Yards, our community growing spaces provide opportunities for people to grow, learn and connect with food and nature. From familiar favourites to forgotten fruits like the medlar, there is always something new to discover. 💚
