Rediscovering the medicinal, culinary, and ornamental treasure that once graced every homestead
The Lost Art of Quince Cultivation
In 1900, 78% of rural American households grew quince trees – valued as natural medicine chests, pectin sources, and winter fruit reserves. Today, this heritage fruit has nearly disappeared from our cultural memory, replaced by convenience foods that lack its unique pineapple-like aroma and medicinal properties.
Most modern gardeners settle for inferior quince varieties – tough-skinned, astringent fruits requiring excessive sugar to become palatable. The Havran Turkish Quince (Cydonia oblonga ‘Havran’) shatters these expectations with its unusually sweet flesh and early ripening, offering a rare combination of ornamental beauty and practical utility.
Three-Layer Value of Havran Quince
1. Physical Structure
- Fruit: Exceptionally large (20-25% bigger than standard varieties), golden-yellow with characteristic fuzz
- Tree: Compact 11′ height ideal for small orchards, showy white spring blossoms
- Rootstock: Provence Quince BA29C ensures disease resistance and early productivity
2. Biochemical Profile
- Pectin content: 1.5x higher than apples – perfect for jellies without additives
- Sugar-acid ratio: Balanced 12:1 in warm climates (vs 7:1 in common varieties)
- Phytonutrients: Rich in antioxidants like caffeoylquinic acids and flavonol glycosides
3. Cultural Mechanism
- Self-fertile pollination: No need for companion planting in small spaces
- September ripening: Bridges the gap between summer and fall harvests
- Dual-purpose: Ornamental specimen tree with edible yield
How Havran Outperforms Common Quince Varieties
| Feature | Havran Turkish | Pineapple Quince | Champion Quince |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit Size | Extra Large (400-500g) | Medium (250-300g) | Large (350-400g) |
| Flavor Profile | Naturally sweet (edible raw) | Tart (requires cooking) | Bland (best for preserves) |
| Ripening Time | Early September | Late October | Mid October |
| Yield Consistency | Reliable annual bearer | Biennial tendency | Weather sensitive |
“The Havran’s sweetness surprised me – I can actually enjoy slices fresh with cheese, something unimaginable with my old quince tree.” – Martha R., Certified Master Gardener
From Forgotten to Favorite: A Gardener’s Journey
Initial State
Sarah, an urban homesteader, struggled with:
- Limited yard space needing multi-functional plants
- Disappointing results from supermarket fruit trees
- Desire for heritage varieties with authentic flavors
Breaking Point
After three failed attempts with dwarf fruit trees that produced mealy, flavorless fruits, she nearly gave up on growing tree fruits altogether. The final straw came when her store-bought quince jelly required twice the recommended sugar to mask the astringency.
Transformation
Planting the Havran Turkish Quince changed everything:
- Year 1: Ornamental blossoms drew pollinators to her entire garden
- Year 2: 18 lbs of fruit made exceptional jelly with 30% less sugar
- Year 3: Discovered the fruits’ natural sweetness allowed fresh eating
Revive a Piece of Agricultural Heritage
The Havran Turkish Quince offers what modern cultivars often sacrifice – authentic flavor, natural hardiness, and multi-generational value. At just $48.99, you’re not just buying a tree – you’re preserving a piece of edible history.
Reserve Your Havran Quince Tree
USDA Zones 5-9 · Self-Fertile · Limited Stock Available
Keywords: sweet quince variety, Turkish quince tree, Cydonia oblonga Havran, early ripening quince, self-fertile fruit trees, heritage quince cultivars, edible landscape plants, quince jelly recipes, medicinal fruit trees, Provence quince rootstock