Medlars, sweetened Thomas Rink

The medlar is a plum-sized, sweet and sour tree fruit grown primarily in the Mediterranean countries, Turkey, Brazil, and Germany. Due to their high pectin content, medlars are often used to make jams, jellies, and preserves. In the past, they were also added to wine or must to enhance its flavor due to their high tannin content. Ripe medlars are rock-hard; if eaten raw, they need to be exposed to frost; this is when they become tender and develop their aromatic flavor. Thomas Rink`s medlars are sugared and are ideal for garnishing fruit tarts, cold soups, desserts, in fruit salads, with muesli for breakfast, and as an accompaniment to main courses.