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Medlar

Fruit

Medlar

A unique autumn fruit that must be overripened (bletted) before eating, offering a sweet, spiced applesauce flavor.

An ancient pome fruit that must be bletted (softened by frost or aging) before eating, offering a unique spiced applesauce-like flavor.

low-calorie bletted fruit

Typical serving · 100g

Common varieties · Dutch, Nottingham, Royal, Giant, Russian

75health

Overall context score across nutrition, safety, and diet fit

At a glance

Quick facts

Simple indicators based on nutrition, processing, and diet fit.

Low calorieLow glycemicWeight lossDiabetes-friendlyGut health

The story

What makes it unique

Medlar is a low-calorie, fiber-containing fruit with a moderate carbohydrate profile. Its unique bletting process breaks down tannins and pectin, accelerating digestibility and altering its glycemic response from very low to moderate. Satiety is moderate due to water and fiber content.

Varieties: Dutch · Nottingham · Royal · Giant · Russian

#medlar#blettedfruit#ancientfruit#lowglycemicfruit#lowcaloriefruit#autumnfruit#mespilusgermanica#highfiberfruit#weightlosssnack

Per 100g

Nutrition breakdown

Macro balance and key metrics at a glance.

Energy

47kcal

Density 0.47 kcal/g

Protein

0.4g

Carbs

11g

Fat

0.1g

Fiber

1.8g

Sugar

8.5 g

Sodium

2 mg

Potassium

170 mg

Glycemic index

35

Glycemic load

4

Water content

80%

Standout compounds

Nutrient highlights

  • Dietary Fiber

    moderate

    Supports digestion and gut microbiome health

  • Potassium

    moderate

    Helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance

  • Vitamin C

    low

    Supports immune function and skin health

  • Tannins

    high

    Astringent compounds that become sweet during bletting

Wellness map

Health scores & processing

Weight loss
85
Satiety
65
Blood sugar
80
Gut health
70
Heart health
65
Fitness
40
Processing
100

NOVA processing scale

1
Min
2
3
4
Ultra

Unprocessed · Whole food

Fresh whole fruit requiring only natural enzymatic bletting to become palatable.

Diet compatibility

  • Weight loss
  • Muscle gain
  • Diabetes
  • Gut health
  • Low carb
  • High protein
  • Heart health

Relative standing

Food rankings

Qualitative ranks compared to similar whole foods.

  • Satietygood
  • Blood sugarexcellent
  • Nutrient densitymoderate
  • Fitness fuelpoor
  • Processing qualityexcellent

Eat with confidence

Food safety profile

Medlar is generally safe with minimal pesticide or contamination risks. Proper washing is advised since fallen fruit is often harvested for bletting.

90safety

Evidence confidence 75%

  • Pesticideslow
  • Antibioticslow
  • Heavy metalslow
  • Contaminationlow

Watch for

  • Soil debris from ground harvesting

Safer choices

Organic medlar

Prep tips

Wash thoroughly before bletting. Discard seeds as they contain trace amygdalin, similar to apple seeds.

None significant

Deep dive

Health analysis

How this food may fit different goals and preparation choices.

  1. Weight loss

    Low energy density and moderate fiber support fullness without excess calories, making it a weight-loss friendly snack.

  2. Blood sugar

    Low glycemic index and load help prevent sharp blood sugar spikes, though bletting makes sugars more rapidly available than in the raw fruit.

  3. Fitness & energy

    Not an ideal quick-energy source due to moderate carbs and low profile, but works as a light pre-workout snack.

  4. Gut health

    Dietary fiber supports bowel regularity and gut microbiome health, while tannins in unbletted fruit can be astringent and constipating.

  5. Processing quality

    A whole, unprocessed food with no additives, representing the highest tier of food processing quality.

  6. Food safety

    Very safe to consume. The only precaution is avoiding the seeds, which contain cyanogenic compounds like apple seeds.

  7. Common mistakes

    Eating the fruit before it is fully bletted, resulting in an extremely astringent and sour experience.

  8. Best preparation

    Allow to blet at room temperature or after a frost until soft, then scoop the flesh from the skin, discarding the seeds.

Practical guide

Best use cases

When and how this food fits real eating patterns.

  • Unique dessert fruit

    Scooped out as a naturally sweet, spiced-flavored dessert alternative.

  • Low-calorie snacking

    Provides a sweet treat with minimal caloric impact for weight management.

  • Culinary preserves

    Used to make traditional jellies, jams, and cheeses due to high natural pectin.

Balance sheet

Pros & cons

Upsides

  • Low in calories and energy density
  • Low glycemic impact suitable for blood sugar management
  • Contains dietary fiber for gut health
  • Completely unprocessed whole food
  • Unique spiced flavor profile requiring no added sugar

Trade-offs

  • Requires a lengthy bletting process before consumption
  • Not a significant source of protein or healthy fats
  • Seeds contain cyanogenic compounds and must be discarded
  • Difficult to find in standard grocery stores

Fit check

Who is it for?

Great match

  • weight management
  • blood sugar control
  • culinary experimentation
  • whole food plant-based diets

Consider alternatives

  • high-protein diets
  • quick pre-workout fuel
  • immediate fresh snacking

Side by side

How it compares

Open the full head-to-head analysis for nutrition, safety, and practical tradeoffs.

  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS85% alike
    Quince

    Compare with

    Quince

    Quince requires cooking while medlar requires bletting. Both offer spiced apple flavors but medlar is eaten raw after softening.

    Medlar is lower in calories and can be eaten raw after bletting, while quince requires cooking and has slightly more fiber.

    Medlar vs Quince
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS80% alike
    Persimmon

    Compare with

    Persimmon

    Persimmons are higher in sugar and calories than medlars but offer more vitamins. Medlar is better for strict low-calorie diets.

    Persimmons are sweeter and higher in carbs, while medlars are lower in calories and better for blood sugar control.

    Medlar vs Persimmon
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS75% alike
    Apple

    Compare with

    Apple

    Apples are more convenient and widely available, but medlar has a lower glycemic index and unique spiced flavor when bletted.

    Apples are crunchier and more convenient, but medlars are lower in calories and have a lower glycemic impact.

    Medlar vs Apple
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS75% alike
    Pear

    Compare with

    Pear

    Pears are sweeter and higher in sugar. Medlar provides a more complex flavor with fewer calories and carbs.

    Pears are sweeter and higher in sugar, while medlars offer a spiced flavor with fewer calories and a lower glycemic load.

    Medlar vs Pear
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS70% alike
    Loquat

    Compare with

    Loquat

    Loquats are eaten fresh and crisp, unlike the bletted medlar. Loquats are higher in vitamin A, while medlars are lower in sugar.

    Loquats are eaten fresh and crisp with more vitamin A, while medlars must be bletted and are lower in sugar.

    Medlar vs Loquat
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS65% alike
    Fig

    Compare with

    Fig

    Figs are much higher in sugar and calories than medlars. Medlar is the better choice for low-carb and low-sugar diets.

    Figs are significantly higher in sugar and calories, making medlar the better option for weight loss and blood sugar management.

    Medlar vs Fig
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS60% alike
    Plum

    Compare with

    Plum

    Plums are juicier and higher in sugar. Medlar offers a denser, spiced puree texture with fewer carbs.

    Plums are juicier and higher in carbs, whereas medlars provide a unique spiced puree with a lower glycemic load.

    Medlar vs Plum
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS60% alike
    Apricot

    Compare with

    Apricot

    Apricots are eaten fresh and are rich in beta-carotene. Medlars must be bletted and are lower in sugar.

    Apricots are eaten fresh and are higher in vitamin A, while medlars are lower in sugar and require bletting to eat.

    Medlar vs Apricot
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS55% alike
    Peach

    Compare with

    Peach

    Peaches are sweeter and juicier. Medlars are lower in calories and have a spiced, applesauce-like flavor.

    Peaches are sweeter and juicier with more carbs, while medlars are lower in calories and better for low-sugar diets.

    Medlar vs Peach
  • Medlar

    This food

    Medlar

    VS50% alike
    Guava

    Compare with

    Guava

    Guava is a nutritional powerhouse with massive vitamin C and fiber. Medlar is lower in calories but far less nutrient-dense.

    Guava provides significantly more vitamin C and fiber, while medlar is slightly lower in calories but much harder to find.

    Medlar vs Guava

Common questions

FAQ

Answers aligned with how people search for this food.

  • What does a medlar taste like?

    When bletted, medlar tastes like spiced applesauce with notes of cinnamon and vanilla, though unbletted fruit is highly astringent and sour.

  • How do you eat a medlar?

    You must wait until the fruit is bletted (soft and brown), then slice the skin open and scoop out the sweet flesh, avoiding the hard seeds.

  • Is medlar good for weight loss?

    Yes, medlar is low in calories and provides dietary fiber, which promotes satiety and helps control appetite.

  • What is bletting a fruit?

    Bletting is the process of allowing certain fruits, like medlar, to overripen until soft and sweet, which breaks down harsh tannins and acids.

  • Are medlar seeds poisonous?

    Like apple seeds, medlar seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when crushed. Swallowing them whole is harmless, but they should not be chewed or consumed in large quantities.

  • Can diabetics eat medlar?

    Yes, medlar has a low glycemic index and load, meaning it causes a slow, manageable rise in blood sugar when eaten in normal portions.

Transparency

Data confidence

Estimated confidence for nutrition data, interpretation, safety notes, and comparisons.

70

Nutrition data

80

Health analysis

90

Food safety

75

Comparisons