Reviving a Forgotten Fruit...by Planting an Orchard!

Fruit
Written By Steven Biggs

How to Grow and Cook Medlar

Author and medlar expert Jane Steward from Eastgate Larder talks about how to grow and cook medlar.

Jane Steward, author of Medlars – Growing & Cooking, talks about how to grow medlar, how to cook medlar, and shares some fascinating medlar facts. (Find out how medlar wood was used in Dutch windmills!)

Steward planted a medlar orchard, holds the UK National Collection of medlars, and runs Eastgate Larder—a food business where she processes medlar.

We talk about:

  • How to grow medlar (Mespilus germanica)

  • How to cook medlar

  • Steward’s journey into planting a medlar orchard and starting a food-processing business

  • How to “blet” medlar

  • Medlar rootstock

  • Medlar fruit in Turkey and around the Caspian Sea

  • (Spoiler alert: we also hear about medlar gin and a delicious medlar chutney)

“If you want to have medlars in your life you really need to have a tree!”

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Find the book at Prospect Books, or online at Amazon.

Want More on Medlar?

Guide to Medlar

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Steven Biggs

Recognized by Garden Making Magazine as one of the "green gang" of Canadians making a difference in horticulture, Steven Biggs is a horticulturist, former college instructor, and award-winning broadcaster and author. His passion is helping home gardeners grow food in creative and attractive ways.


He’s the author of eight gardening books, including the Canadian bestseller No Guff Vegetable Gardening. His articles have appeared in Canada’s Local Gardener, Mother Earth News, Fine Gardening, Garden Making, Country Guide, Edible Toronto, and other magazines.


Along with over 30 years working in the horticultural sector and a horticultural-science major at the University of Guelph, Steven’s experience includes hands-on projects in his own garden including wicking beds, driveway strawbale gardens, and a rooftop tomato plantation—to the ongoing amusement of neighbours.


When not in the garden, you might catch him recording his award-winning Food Garden Life podcast or canoeing in Algonquin Park.

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