How to store quince at home. Proper selection and storage of quince. Conditions under which quince is stored for a long time

Quince is very popular among gardeners. This tree is great for landscaping the site, its fruits are also extremely useful. They are used in various fields. But to get the benefit, you need to know how to store quince.

Benefits of quince fruit

The quince fruit is a false apple, spherical (Japanese variety) or pear-shaped. Color - lemon or dark yellow. When mature, the surface is smooth and hard. The fruit is large, up to 15 cm in diameter.

Gardeners actively grow Japanese quince or Japanese chaenomeles. In such a plant, the fruits are smaller. The fruit of the Japanese species reaches a diameter of about 4 cm.

Pulp properties:

• fragrant;
• with a small content of juices;
• hard;
• taste - tart, astringent, sweetish.

Application in various fields

1. Quince - a component of medicines: to strengthen the body, diuretic, antiulcer and antibacterial action.
2. From the pulp produce a variety of drinks and desserts.
3. In folk medicine, it is used to treat diseases of the respiratory tract, digestive system.
4. Solutions are elements of various cosmetic preparations.
5. Derivatives are used to process fabrics in the textile industry.

Quince seeds are similar in shape and color to apple seeds. Seeds in the form of a decoction are used to reduce the local action of other drugs and slow their absorption, as well as an expectorant.

Fruit removal rules

The ripening period falls on 2-7 weeks of autumn. The shelf life of quince depends on compliance with the rules for harvesting.

• you need to take the fruit with the palm of your hand carefully so as not to damage the peel and pulp with a strong pressure or scratch;
• quince, after separation from the tree, is placed one at a time, on a litter or in a special container;
• the optimal time is before noon, after the dew has evaporated;
• collection activities are carried out on a day with dry weather;
• fruits from the ground should not be put aside for storage.

Quince that is not ripe has a green skin color. If it was collected in an unripe form, it can be brought to “condition” without any problems. For this, certain conditions must be met.

Choice of quince when buying

If you plan to buy quince for later storage, you should follow some rules when choosing fruits in the store:

• it is better to make a purchase in the middle of autumn, when the fruits are fully ripe;
• when examining the fruit, take into account the condition of the skin, it must be complete, without darkening, growths and dents;
• ripe fruit has bright lemon or dark yellow hues;
• fruit must be of natural size for the variety;
• after the purchase, the fruits are additionally sorted out at home.

Optimal storage requirements

General requirements for the storage of quince fruits:

• the temperature in the storage room should not exceed 4 °C;
• humidity should be kept within 80%;
• suitable place without access to light.

Damaged fruits are removed. Whole wipe with a dry cloth. You cannot wash them. Each fruit is wrapped in paper or foil.

Expiration dates

Quince storage time at home or in an apartment:

• under the above conditions, the aroma and freshness will last up to 70 days;
• when the overall temperature drops to 0 ° C, the freshness retention period is extended to 130 days;
• shelf life with "shock" freezing without loss of taste - up to 12 months, later the pieces begin to lose moisture and dry out.

Storage methods

Any place where the basic conditions are met is suitable for storing crops: a refrigerator, a freezer or a basement.

Fridge

The best place to store quince at home. It adjusts the optimal climatic level, with accurate indicators. For fruits, be sure to choose a separate compartment.

Here the quince is stored for the longest time. Under such conditions, the taste properties of the fruit increase.

Styling rules:

• the fruit is cut into two halves;
• remove the skin and seeds;
• the pulp is cut into small pieces;
• pieces are laid out in a container;
• the container is packed in cling film.

Fruits show good preservation at "shock" freezing. With its help, there is no crystallization of the liquid in the pulp.

1. Pieces of harvested quince, with peel and seeds removed, are placed in a sealed bag.
2. Air is removed from the bag and closed tightly.
3. The package is placed in the freezer for 24 hours.
4. After a daily freezing, the pieces are placed in an airtight container.
5. The container is tightly covered with cling film and placed back in the freezer container on a long-term basis.

In case of defrosting, the quince cannot be placed in the cold again. There will be a loss of useful elements.

For large volumes, a cellar is perfect. Recommendations for conditions in the cellar:

• general mode of air temperature - without sharp fluctuations;
• the optimum temperature should be kept at 0 ° C;
• humidity should be kept at the same level;
• need a ventilation system;
• the room is processed using quartz treatment.

Clean wooden boxes are suitable for placement. It is better that they have separate compartments or cells. You can make the demarcation yourself using cardboard or other similar material. The stacked fruits are sprinkled with dry sawdust. When laying in layers, paper is laid between each level.

During storage in the cellar, the fruits should be checked periodically. When traces of decay or stains appear on the fruit, it is immediately removed. Do not store quince in the same container as pears. They highlight elements that speed up the spoilage process. The ideal "neighbor" for the fruit in question is apples.

Ripening

Only ripe fruits are laid for a long time. For ripening, the fruits are placed in a room with room temperature. Under such conditions, the product ripens in 12-14 days. Ripeness is determined by the color of the skin. In cold conditions, the fruit will not ripen. After the crop is ripe, it can be prepared for a thorough laying.

Japanese quince storage

A feature of the Japanese quince is good preservation - better than the fruits of the classic type. They can overwinter without problems. There are no special conditions for storing Far Eastern quince; it is enough to comply with the requirements for the classic, oblong variety.

Storage of Japanese quince seeds

Pre-seeds of the plant are dried. The optimum drying temperature is 50-60 °C. Use a tightly closed container for storage. In it, dried seeds lie without problems for 12 months.

The fruits of most varieties of quince ripen in autumn, from September to November. Collection of later varieties in the southern regions can take place before the onset of frost. Due to its healing properties and pleasant taste, this fruit is quite popular both in the southern regions and in cooler countries where it is considered exotic.

Since ancient times, quince has been used as a remedy for diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, decoctions of quince seeds were used as a remedy for internal bleeding or anemia.

Given the significant number of useful properties of this fruit, it is advisable to know how to store quince at home in order to save all the substances it contains for the maximum period of time.

How to choose the right fruits

Long-term storage of quince at home involves a careful selection of fruits. If long-term storage is expected, you should not buy quince until October, as prematurely picked fruits will quickly wither and lose their taste.

Also, do not buy fruits with skin damage, which may indicate that such a fruit fell from a tree. Quince, due to its dense structure, can be stored for a long time, but if there are damaged areas, it quickly becomes unusable.

Be sure to inspect the fruit for the presence of dark spots, which indicates the beginning of rotting processes. Such fruits of storage will not be transferred.

How to store quince at home

To store quince for the winter at home, you will need to choose a storage location with moderate humidity and a consistently low temperature. The optimal moisture level for these fruits is approximately 85%. With a higher moisture content in the air, the quince will begin to rot, which will significantly reduce the shelf life. Before storage, all fruits must be wiped dry, as the presence of moisture on them will cause rot and damage to stocks.

Also, when choosing a place to store quince, you need to pay attention to the absence of dampness.

• If you want to store quince fresh, you will need to maintain a temperature slightly above 0 °, but not more than + 4 °.
• Under these conditions, the shelf life of quince can be up to four months.
• In the case of storage at a relatively high temperature of +8°…+10°, the shelf life of fruits is reduced to one to two months.

Unripe quince keeps a little better than ripe quince due to the denser pulp structure. It is worth knowing that during storage, the content of sugar and organic acids in fruits increases, and the astringent taste softens a little. Thus, after a certain storage time, quince has a higher taste than immediately after harvest.

When storing quince, it is also worth considering the presence of other fruits next to it. For example, it is allowed to store quince for the winter at home along with apples. At the same time, pears, due to the release of certain substances into the air, accelerate the ripening of quince, which can lead to softening of the fruit and damage to stocks. Thus, if you want it to ripen in the minimum time, you can place pears next to the unripe quince.

One way to keep quince fresh is to place it in a dry, cool cellar. In this case, you need to wrap each fruit in dry paper, and then arrange them in one row in small boxes. In this case, it is necessary to arrange them in such a way that they do not touch each other. Instead of a paper wrapper, you can sprinkle the fruits with sand or sawdust.

In the case of storing fruits in a refrigerator, especially one of the “No frost” type, it is advisable to use plastic bags or cling film instead of paper to prevent the fruits from drying out. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully monitor the absence of moisture on the fruit, since even a small amount of moisture in a virtually sealed bag will cause rotting.

How to store quince in the refrigerator

The most common way to store quince in an apartment is to place it in the refrigerator. Since most residents of large cities do not have a cellar or basement, this storage method is the only option to provide the necessary temperature and humidity for fruits.

In modern refrigerators using an air circulation system, fruits and vegetables stored without additional packaging dry out fairly quickly. Therefore, when storing quince in the refrigerator, it is advisable to place it in a plastic bag.

• The desired storage temperature is similar to that indicated earlier, that is, it should not exceed +4° and fall below 0°.
• Humidity should not exceed 90% to prevent rotting of the fruit, and fall below 80% so as not to cause the quince to dry out.
• Under these conditions, the shelf life of these fruits can be up to four months.

It is worth noting that in this case, the storage of fruits in their original state, with seeds and peel, is considered.

If it is necessary to provide a longer storage period for quince, it can be placed in the freezer, but this will require some preparation.

How to store quince in the freezer

Basically, freezing of quince is carried out in crushed form - grated on a coarse or fine grater or ground in the form of mashed potatoes. Freezing of fruits cut into small pieces is also allowed.

Fruits selected for freezing must be thoroughly washed and rotten areas removed. It is worth noting that when freezing, there are no such strict requirements for the quality of fruits as when they are stored fresh. Both unripe and overripe fruits are suitable for freezing. Including you can use fruits with signs of rot, only you first need to remove the damaged areas.

Then you need to cut the fruit into several parts, remove the seeds and cuttings.

After that, before grinding, it is necessary to prepare bags or containers in which quince will be stored. Since after grinding this fruit oxidizes very quickly, it must be placed in the freezer as soon as possible.

Prepared fruits are grated or crushed with a blender, after which they are packed in prepared containers and sent to the freezer.

At a sufficiently low temperature (-20 ° and below), quince can remain suitable for consumption for six months or even more.

How to store cut quince

If the existing fruits have been cut, then they cannot be stored in the cellar. The only option for storing cut quince is in a refrigerator, and in order to slow down the process of losing moisture to this fruit, you will need to pack it in a material that does not allow air to pass through, for example, a plastic bag.

In this form, the cut quince is placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, where it can be stored for a period of one to two months.

Other ways to store quince

In addition to those listed above, there are also other options for storing this fruit in winter. For example, to reduce the rate of moisture loss, each fruit can be waxed before storage. This method is similar to placing quince in plastic bags. After such processing, the fruits can be placed in perforated boxes and sprinkled with sawdust or shredded paper.

In addition to fresh storage or freezing, quince can also be dried. In this form, the fruit will remain fit for consumption for a much longer period of time, even compared to freezing.

Before drying, the fruits are thoroughly washed and the areas damaged by rot are removed. After that, the fruit is cut into fragments no more than 5 mm thick. It is worth noting that the peel and seed chamber should not be removed before drying.

Fruit prepared in this way is placed in an oven or a specialized dryer, where it is left at a temperature of 65 ° ... 85 ° until cooked.

To ensure long-term storage, both a properly carried out drying process and appropriate storage conditions are important.

If the fruit has not been dried completely, the remaining moisture will cause mold and stock deterioration.

After drying, the fruits are placed in pre-washed and dried jars with tight-fitting lids.

With proper observance of all requirements, such dried fruits can be stored until the next harvest, that is, throughout the year.

in boxes in cool rooms with an air temperature of plus 2-5 degrees. During storage, they ripen, their taste improves due to the increase in the amount of sugars and the disappearance of the astringent taste, the fruit tissue becomes less rigid. However, storage should not be delayed - quince fruits do not differ in long-term keeping quality. Depending on the variety and degree of maturity, they are stored on average 2-3 months. First of all, you need to eat fruits with mechanical damage, because they quickly rot.

Cooking

The easiest way to cook quince is to cut it into halves, remove the core, fill the resulting recess with sugar and, if desired, cinnamon, and then bake in the oven until soft at a temperature of about 100 degrees. You can add quince to compote. In Asian countries, it is added to pilaf, laying at the same time as carrots.

, from quince it turns out a wonderful jam of a dense consistency. For it, peeled and cut into slices quince is immersed in an enameled pan, water is added (150 g per 1 kg of fruit) and boiled until softened, after which filtered sugar syrup is added, prepared at the rate of 1.2 kg of sugar and 400 ml of water per 1 kg quince. In the case of making jam from sweet varieties, it is advised to add citric acid at the end of cooking (2-3 g per 1 kg of prepared fruit). Jam is boiled until ready, packaged hot in heated dry jars, corked with boiled lids, turned upside down and cooled as quickly as possible. Quince can be used to make delicious lokum. Ripe quince is thoroughly washed, water is added in such an amount that it completely covers the fruits, and boiled, stirring, over high heat until softened. Boiled quince is dipped in cold water, peeled, the pulp is cut off and passed through a meat grinder.

pour the water in which the quince was boiled, add sugar (take 160 ml of water and 600 g of sugar for each kilogram of fruit) and boil the syrup over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then, crushed quince is put into the hot syrup, the fire is slightly increased and the resulting mass is boiled, stirring continuously, until thickened. Then the fire is reduced and boiled until tender. It is judged by the bubbling layer of foam in the groove made by the spatula. The finished mass is laid out in a wide tin container moistened with cold water or on a baking sheet in a thin layer. When the mass has cooled, it is wrapped in parchment paper and placed in cardboard boxes. Turkish delight can be cut into pieces and placed in clean, dry jars, sealed with lids and stored as such until consumed.

Storage

Quince fruits should be stored in boxes in cold rooms with an air temperature of plus 2-5 degrees. During storage, they ripen, their taste improves due to the increase in the amount of sugars and the disappearance of the astringent taste, the tissue of the fruit becomes the least rigid. But you should not delay storage - quince fruits do not differ in long-term keeping quality. Depending on the variety and degree of maturity, they are stored on average 2-3 months. First you need to eat fruits with mechanical damage, as they quickly rot.

Manufacturing

The most common way to prepare a quince is to cut it in half, remove the core, fill the resulting recess with sugar and, if desired, cinnamon, and then bake in the oven until soft at about 100 degrees. You can add quince to compote. In Asian countries, it is added to pilaf, laying immediately with carrots.

Due to the high content of pectin substances, a beautiful jam of a dense mixture comes out of quince. For it, peeled and cut into slices quince is immersed in an enameled pan, water is added (150 g per 1 kg of fruit) and boiled until softened, then filtered sweet syrup is added, prepared at the rate of 1.2 kg of sugar and 400 ml of water per 1 kg quince. In the case of making jam from sweet species, it is recommended to add citric acid at the end of cooking (2-3 g per 1 kg of cooked fruit). Jam is boiled until cooked, packaged hot in heated dry jars, corked with boiled lids, turned upside down and cooled rapidly if possible. Quince can be used to make delicious Turkish delight. Ripe quince is thoroughly washed, water is added in such an amount that it completely covers the fruits, and boiled, stirring, over high heat until softened. Boiled quince is dipped in cool water, peeled, the pulp is cut off and passed through a meat grinder.

The quince or "golden apple" is a pear-shaped fruit with a yellow skin and a tart flavor that is loaded with many beneficial substances. What could be better than such a delicacy in winter. But how to store quince correctly so that the fruits do not deteriorate and lose their qualities. In our area, these fruits are known in principle, but still they remain exotic and not very familiar to many buyers. For those who understand how tasty and healthy this fruit is, we will try to tell you how to keep quince at home.

What fruits should be kept.

Winter storage of quince requires careful selection of fruits. It is necessary to pay attention to how the quince looks like, storage can only be done if the fruits are free of defects and dents. You should also pay attention to their size. There are certain nuances of harvesting from your own garden, as well as rules for choosing fruits in the market.

Buying the "right" fruits.

Not everything that is sold in markets or supermarkets can be stored for the winter. You need to know some secrets.
Since the quince reaches very late autumn, do not rush to buy it until mid-October.
Very small quince fruits should not be chosen, as they will not be able to retain juiciness, as they are large.
They must also be ripe, as evidenced by a rich yellowish color and a bright pleasant aroma.
The shell of the fruit should beat without cracks and dents.

How to harvest?

As already mentioned, quince is a late fruit. You need to start harvesting closer to November, and if autumn drags on, then even later. So:
collect fruits only in dry weather, it is best in the morning when the dew subsides;
fruits cannot be thrown into the basket, they must be carefully folded;
quince will ripen faster if an unripe fruit is placed next to ripe fruits;
such fruits can also be placed next to apples, so the ripening process is accelerated;
fruits must be plucked, fruits that have fallen to the ground will not be stored;
the peel should not be dented or cracked.

The fallen fruits will also come in handy for us, you can make jams from them.

Storage conditions.

So now let's look at how we can properly store quince. In order for the quince to remain practically unchanged for as long as possible, you need to correctly combine some conditions:
temperature from 0°C to 2°C;
humidity about 80%;
dark room.
The most ideal place for storing quince, which is suitable in all respects, is a refrigerator. You need to put them in a special compartment for fruits, wrapping them with paper or foil.

The optimal storage temperature for quince is considered to be from 0 to +4 degrees. Shelf life is approximately 2-3 months. If you cut the fruit, wrap it in cling film and put it in the refrigerator for a few more days.

But the fridge is small. For a large quince crop, you need a lot of space and more storage conditions. To all others, good ventilation and constant air circulation are added, and quartzization of the room before laying fruit for the winter.
It is clear that this is practically impossible to do in an apartment, especially for a large crop. In this case, cellars and cellars are better suited.

1. It is desirable to store in wooden boxes with partitions.
2. Fruits should not touch each other, so they are separated with sand, sawdust or wrapped in paper.
3. Alternatively, the fruits can be wrapped in cling film, but they can not be put in plastic bags.
4. A very interesting storage method is the treatment of quince with warm wax, which prevents premature drying.
5. Don't forget to throw away spoiled fruit.

Quince is distinguished by excellent keeping quality, and under all conditions it can lie until spring. It can be stored together with apples, it is not desirable with pears because the ripening process will be accelerated and thus the shelf life will be reduced.

Depending on the variety, the quince, which is stored correctly, can lie from 20 to 120 days.

Other storage methods.

As an alternative, it is also correct to store quince in the form of jam or jam, dry, freeze, and also make candied fruits.

• Freezing will help soften the fruit and remove the tart taste. Before this, the fruits are peeled and core, cut and placed in the freezer for a maximum of 10 months. The mode of "shock" freezing to prevent the appearance of small pieces of ice. It is not advisable to defrost many times.
• For drying, the fruits are washed, peeled, peeled and cut into thin slices. After that, they need to be dried in the sun or in the oven. Try to dry completely and do not allow drying out, especially in the oven.

• For candied fruits, Japanese quince, which is also called chaenomeles, is used. The fruits are cut and dipped in hot syrup, bringing to a boil. At the same time, they should not boil. Set aside the container for 5-6 hours and repeat the procedure 4 more times. Strain the fruits and dry them in the oven. In addition to Japanese quince, you can use another variety, but candied fruits are not very tasty.
• Jam, jam or juice is usually made from fruits that are not suitable for storage according to an individual recipe.

With these simple methods, quince stays fresh, and you can enjoy this wonderful fruit all winter. The main thing is to follow all the above recommendations and observe all storage conditions at home.