Loquat's are ripening!

All over London, the fruits of Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat/Japanese Medlar) are ripening. This doesn't happen every year (it depends on the weather) but it looks as though we are going to have a bumper crop.

I can't describe the taste (it's like no other fruit I've eaten). They need to be peeled and the flesh is like a lychee, but I can remember that they taste really good if eaten ripe (when the fruit is orange).

I think there may have been a trend for planting them in the 1970's?, (maybe a John Brookes thing?) as the trees all seem to be about the same age (I guess tree ferns will have the same 'date stamp' in history in years to come).

Anyway, if you see them, go scrumping! Plant the seeds too - they are easy to grow.


Dickie

Definition of 'scrumping' - Nicking fruit and windfalls from a garden that is not your own.