Mespilus germanica (common medlar) is a deciduous shrub or small tree of the Rosaceae family, native to southwestern Asia. Botanically, it is characterized by large, single white flowers and felt-like leaves. The fruit is a brown drupe with a typical open calyx at the top ("crown"). A unique feature is that the fruits are hard and inedible after harvesting; they become edible only after a process called "rotting," when the flesh softens under the influence of frost or storage and acquires a paste-like consistency reminiscent of apple puree. Nutritionally, the fruits are rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron) and fiber, especially pectin, which aids digestion. The phytochemical profile of raw fruits is dominated by tannins, which cause strong astringency. During ripening, tannins oxidize and break down, while the sugar content increases. The fruit is also a significant source of phenolic acids and flavonoids with antioxidant activity.
