Cooke's Jumbo Quince
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Cooke’s Jumbo quince is a large, asymmetrical fruit that has a smooth yellow-green skin. Each fruit is knobby and roughly pear-shaped, reaching 15 to 20 centimeters in diameter. Cooke’s Jumbo quince is a fragrant fruit, with a scent that has notes of pineapple, guava, pear, and vanilla. It has an off-white inner flesh that is both tart and sour. Cookes Jumbo quince has a very firm and crunchy texture. The fruit grows on small, bushy trees that feature dark green leaves and white-pink flowers that bloom in the spring.
Seasons/Availability
Cooke's Jumbo Quince are available in the fall months.
Current Facts
Cooke’s Jumbo quince may also be referred to as Jumbo quince and is botanically classified as Cydonia oblonga. Cooke’s Jumbo quince is one of the largest varieties of quince and can be more than double the size of common quinces varieties. It is seldom eaten raw, requiring cooking to transform the taste and texture to be more palatable. Cooke’s Jumbo quince is a rare item that can sometimes be found in farmers’ markets or from specialty grocers.
Nutritional Value
Cooke’s Jumbo quince is high in dietary fiber, and contains moderate amounts of vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.
Applications
Cooke’s Jumbo quince can be served poached and are commonly used to make candies, jellies, preserves and jams. Dice and combined with a small amount of water and sweetener of choice, cook down until they become soft and pulpy with an applesauce texture. Cooke’s Jumbo quince can be added to apple pies and applesauce, bringing a more complex flavor. Cooke’s Jumbo quince pairs well with flavorings like vanilla bean and sugar, and goes well with rich flavors like butter and cognac. To store, place Cooke’s Jumbo quinces single layer in a loose bag. They will last for up to 2 months in the refrigerator. Note that their strong fragrance can permeate other fruits.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Quinces have deep mythological roots. Some scholars say that the quince may have been the “golden apple” that has been featured in several Greek myths. It is also suggested that the quince is the forbidden fruit that tempted Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Quinces have also been used throughout history for perfumes and breath fresheners.
Geography/History
Quinces are native to Asia, in the Caucus region, and may have been cultivated before the apple. Cooke’s Jumbo quince was an accidental mutation, theorized to have originated from either the Turkish Smyrna quince or the Van Deman quince. Cooke's Jumbo quince was first found in an orchard in Dinuba, California, later introduced to the L.E. Cooke Company in Visalia, California. The L.E. Cooke Company, for which Cooke's Jumbo quince is named, began growing this unusual variety of quince, introducing it to other growers throughout the United States in 1972.
