Wholesale Quince

Heritage

Quince has quite the backstory, dating back thousands of years. It used to be a common sight in British gardens, but nowadays it’s a bit of a forgotten treasure. While most British shoppers might walk straight past it, chefs across the Mediterranean, Middle East and parts of Asia still hold it in high regard.

Back in Tudor and Victorian times, British cooks were mad about quince – they used its natural pectin for preserves, jellies and “cotoniacs” (the original quince paste, before the Spanish membrillo came along). There’s even a theory that when the Greeks were talking about “golden apples,” they actually meant quince, and some food historians reckon it might have been the real fruit in the Garden of Eden story.

We’re all about bringing these forgotten heroes back into the spotlight – there’s just nothing else that brings quite the same character to your menu.

Nutritional Profile

If you’re looking to add some menu appeal, quince brings some interesting nutritional chat to the table:

• Packed with vitamin C and fibre
• Contains copper that helps support immune function
• Rich in antioxidants (especially once it turns pink during cooking)
• Naturally high in pectin – that’s why it’s so brilliant for preserves
• Has mild astringent properties that are actually good for digestion

Chef’s Corner

We’ve seen our customers do some amazing things with quince. It’s surprisingly versatile:

For sweet dishes:

• Poach it in a spiced syrup for a simple but impressive dessert
• Make your own membrillo – it’s a game-changer on cheese boards
• Turn it into jewel-like jellies and preserves that capture autumn in a jar
• Bake it into tarts with warming spices
• Churn it into ice creams or sorbets for complex, floral notes

For savoury dishes:

• Slow-cook it with game meats – it’s particularly brilliant with venison and duck
• Purée it to serve alongside charcuterie or strong cheeses
• Pickle it for a unique condiment
• Roast it with root veg for a seasonal side with a difference
• Use it in Middle Eastern-inspired tagines and stews

A few handy tips from our chef friends:

• These things are rock-hard – use your sharpest knife and watch your fingers!
• Never serve quince raw – it’s just not pleasant
• It browns quickly when cut, so keep a bowl of acidulated water nearby
• The core has seeds in a leathery casing that needs to come out
• You can leave the skin on while cooking for extra colour and flavour
• The longer and slower you cook it, the more you’ll see that gorgeous colour change from white to pink

Complementary Ingredients

Quince plays nicely with lots of other ingredients we stock:

• Warming spices from our dry goods range like cinnamon, star anise and cardamom
• Hard cheeses – try it with our Manchego, aged Cheddar or Parmesan
• Game meats, especially venison, duck and rabbit
• Our autumn fruits like pears and apples
• Nuts from our selection, including almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts
• Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme for savoury applications

Wholesale Quince from Rushton’s

We know that working with unique ingredients like quince takes both quality produce and a bit of know-how. Here’s why our chefs keep coming back to us:

Truly seasonal – We only supply quince when it’s naturally at its best in autumn and winter.

Hand-selected – Our buyers know exactly what to look for – density, aroma and potential.

Real advice – Need tips on how to tackle it? Our team has got you covered.

Consistent freshness – With six-day delivery across London, you won’t be let down.

One-stop ordering – Get your quince alongside everything else you need, no messing about with multiple suppliers.

Everything you need – We can sort you out with all the complementary bits and pieces for your quince creations.

Have a browse through our fresh produce wholesale collection to see what else is in season that might work with quince.

Give us a call to check availability and pricing. We’re here to help you make the most of this brilliant seasonal fruit, with delivery six days a week throughout London.

Up next: Speciality Citrus – Beyond Lemons and Limes