October 2025 NEWS

This month’s newsletter was inspired by a trip in July to Tasmania that was full of foggy days, friendly locals, and thoughts of what making jam was like a century ago. Now, as the season starts to change and the warmer weather is inching closer, the orchard is putting on quite a show to reveal the prettiest blossoms around. So, to celebrate the start of the next generation of quinces, a Quince and Ricotta Crumble Cake seems perfect. But be warned, it looks light but is surprisingly rich and decadent.

  • Childhood memories of a grandmother’s quince jam,
  • A century of jam making at the Hobart Docklands,
  • First quinces planted in Van Diemen’s Land, and
  • Quince and Ricotta Crumb Cake recipe.

‘Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.’ Mark Twain, American writer (c.1835 -1910)

Cathy x

At Quince HQ  we want to inspire a sense of wonder, curiosity and excitement about quinces; a really old fruit that is being rediscovered … and loved again. And there really is so much to love!
You can delve into a wondrous quince-inspired world full of stories of love, lust, legend, and traditions; be tempted by fascinating and every-day recipes; be enchanted by artworks and poetic musings through the ages; or even be enthused to grow a tree. Be prepared for something special.


Quince isn’t just a fruit
… it’s an experience.

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When summer slips away and the leaves begin to fall, quinces are readying their magic powers

It’s a fruit with personality: voluptuous, sensual, golden, fragrant, sublimely aromatic, and oh so versatile. It’s true that they aren’t much fun to eat raw … but the wow factor comes during cooking: Quince + sweetener + heat + time = heaven on a spoon. Pure alchemy.

Though related to apples and pears - which you can tell by their shape - they are botanically different.  Their fancy name is Cydonia oblonga; one that shouts back to ancient Greece where the very best quinces in the world were grown in Kydonia, on the island of Crete.

All 16 known quince varieties currently in Australia are growing in the Quince HQ orchard.

Varieties

The Quince HQ  orchard was established in 2013.  All sixteen varieties of quince trees have since been sourced from three specialist heritage fruit tree nurseries in Tasmania and Victoria:

  • Angers
  • Apple
  • Champion
  • De Bourgeaut
  • De Vranja 
  • Fullers
  • Master’s Early
  • Missouri Mammoth
  • Mummery’s Seedling
  • Orange
  • Pineapple
  • Portugal
  • Powell’s Prize     
  • Rea’s Mammoth
  • Smyrna
  • Van Deman
There was a time, in the early 1900s, when there were 40 varieties known to be growing across Australia.

Enquiries

Cathy Hughes

0428 720 728
magic@quincehq.com.au

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Business hours

Mon - Fri
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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