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Comment by mano78 | Hacker News Reader

These are... nespole. I have a tree in my garden and we, in Italy, commonly eat them. A bit disappointed after the intriguing opening of the article.

https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica

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I think you are confusing the "loquat" with the "medlar". The loquat is still relatively common, doesn't have a gaping open end, is yellow to orange, and can be eaten out of hand. The medlar is darker in color, has a very open calyx, and is practically inedible direct from the tree. The names are sometimes confused, with the loquat sometimes called a "Japanese medlar". Anyway, did yours possibly match this one instead: http://italywithgusto.com/praise-to-the-italian-loquat-fruit...?

I don't think so: it's open ended indeed, and the wikipedia article I linked matches the latin name

You are right that depending on where you are, it could be either. The English language Wikipedia article for 'loquat'[1] suggests that Southern Italy uses 'nespolo' for 'loquat', while Northern uses it for 'medlar'. But if it's tasty and light orange colored when you eat it ripe directly from the tree, it's definitely a loquat. While if it's at all appealing after it's been stored for a few months and turned brown and mushy, it's a medlar.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loquat

I also have one in my garden. In German it is called "Mispel". I wouldn't call it forgotten although I have to attest that probably only history or plant nerds know of it.

As we grow a lot of historic varieties of vegetables a "Mispel" was not so unusual for us.

And living in a region where traditionally all hard liquor is from trees, the Mispel one happens to be my unquestioned favorite, after a good meal at the pub. I'd describe the tiny fruit aroma hint that is usual with fruit liquor as a touch of marzipan that works much better than I'd expect upon hearing this description (I'd definitely not be eager to try something advertised as marzipan liquor).

Perhaps it's no coincidence that the article doesn't mention Germany at all, it might ruin the "forgotten" hook. (no you can't walk into a German supermarket and walk out with a bag full of Mispels, it's not that un-forgotten)

Try in a Turkish shop (in Germany I mean), you'll find them for sure.

Could deserve a try. How is the recipe?

Asking the wrong person, I only know how to read the chalkboard that lists the "fruits" available.

This is the supplier, basically the "industry giant" amongst the traditional distillers of the region (most others aren't full time occupations I think): https://www.destillerie-haas.com/epages/61827331.mobile/de_D...

Yeah. Naspolya. We have them in Hungary, too, although they have become less and less common over the years.

Pretty common in France too: the tree is néflier, the fruit is nèfle. Disappointed too as I could find this with a simple Wikipedia search...

They're not particularly rare in England (although rarely eaten). You see them a lot in stately homes. And although I don't live in one of those, I have one in my back garden.

I had a large tree in the garden of my previous house. I used to make significant quantities of medlar jelly every year and give the jars away to family and friends. The house was 400 years old, but the tree was significantly younger.

English version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus_germanica

I also have a "nespolo" tree. But honestly I don't know if it's a european or a japonica variant

If the tree keeps its dark green leaves in winter is japonica. If naked in winter and taking a good pinkish yellow color in fall, european.

Oval, orange, edible in summer? Japonica. Round, brown, requires frost - European.

Aye, they're called "nespoles" in Corfu also and it's probably an Italian influence.

Yeah, I've eaten these. Never knew they were "rare".

Nísperos, in Spain.

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