Since I’ve been thinking about quince, I’ve also been noticing more natural skincare products using quince fruit and seed extract.  Because I am a fan of all thing fruits, I especially love seeing fruit extracts in the skincare market.  One of the benefits of quince fruit extract is it’s moisture retaining ability.  So it would make sense to include it hand and face creams.  Some skincare company that integrated quince into their products include:

Dr.Hauschka Quince Day Cream: “Quince seed extract, quince wax and beeswax combine to impart essential moisture and offer gentle protection.” 1 oz $35.95

Korres Natural Products Body Butter in Quince: “Quince extract has softening, moisturizing and restructuring properties.” 7.95 fl oz $27

CO Bigelow Dr. Hiosous Quince Hand Lotion: This is the only product I’ve tried by CO Bigelow.  As much as I rave about Gloves in a Bottle, I think this also feels like it’s giving my hand another protective “glove like barrier”.  Gloves in a Bottle works well, but smells like glue.  I don’t know what’s in it really.  But with Dr. Hiosous Quince hand lotion, the frangrance is natural and really does smell like ripe quince. It’s citrus yet fruity.  Althought it is pricey at $15 for 4 oz bottle, a little bit goes a long way.  The texture is great and the absorption is never greasy.  It is one product I would recommend using if you have dry hands and want a natural product. 4 oz $15

Photo from Bath & Body Works

Quince is an unusual fruit to many people. There are two distinctive type of quince tree. The one that bears large fruit and the ornamental one that is more of a shrub and has beautiful dark pink blossoms in spring. Quince is one of the first fruit trees to bloom in the year. The Chinese consider quince blossom as a symbol of good fortune.  So you may see the blossoms used in celebration bouquet for Chinese New Year.

A healthy quince shrub in bloom, usually in the winter months.  This bright pink color makes me feel happy just looking at it.  Photo from flickr by neeloj.

Johnny Bowden included quince in his book, “150 Healthiest Foods on Earth“. It contains potassium and Vitamin C.   The quince is a relative of the apple and pear and belongs to the pome fruit family. Bodwen adds that quinces grown in western Asia is much sweeter and softer. I would love to try that version!

The quince I get at the market (in California) doesn’t taste sweet at all, but not as tart either. Quince contains tannin and leaves your mouth puckering with it’s astringent taste. It reminds me of bad Granny Smith apple. But I still like them and put it in my salad. Most people in Europe and the U.S. don’t eat them raw. Due to the high pectin (a kind of soluble fiber) content, they are mainly used to make jams and jellies. And also popular baked into desserts, adding to stew, and made into sauces.

Photo from Victoriana Nursery Gardens. This ripe quince looks like a golden apple mix with a pear but fuzzy like a peach. The smell of fresh quince is really nice. I like to scratch it a bit and sniff it. In ancient days they were used as room freshener. I don’t think I resist not biting into one first.