Can you eat birset raw? Here is the answer!

By the end of September, the characteristically fragrant, golden quince will appear in the markets and on the shelves of stores. For many, it is one of the scents of childhood – the scent of quince fragrance in grandmother's closet, which not only perfumed clothes but also later appeared on the table in the form of jam, cheese, or compote. But why don't we eat it raw, like apples or pears? And is it really forbidden to consume it this way, or is it just an old custom that keeps us away from it? The quince (Cydonia oblonga) belongs to the Rosaceae family, making it a close relative of the apple and pear, yet it has a completely different character. Its flesh is hard, fibrous, and often sour – due to its high content of malic acid, which is a natural plant protective agent. This tannin causes an "astringent" feeling in the mouth, so most people send the fruit to the oven or a pot after the first bite. However, the amount of malic acid varies depending on the variety and ripeness of ...