Malus Floribunda

[LilyRose]

I have a beautiful crab apple tree, Malus Floribuda. Instead of largish apples it has tiny fruits the size of peas. Do you think they will still be edible, and if so, what to do with the teeny things? I can only think of putting them in brandy with loads of sugar , or do you think they would be too sour to stir into a jelly?

[LilyRose]

wish I'd called this thread 'Can I eat....'

[Flummery]

I'd make a jelly. Put them in a big pan in the proportion 1lb fruit to half pint water and cook them up gently till you get a thick mush. Then strain through a jelly bag or several layers of muslin - overnight is best to allow it all to drip through. Then add 1 lb sugar per pint of juice (you don't get much juice as there's skin and pips etc to strain out.) and when it's dissolved, boil till it sets. Lovely on scones, good with pork or cheese.

[Hilary B]

Flum has said it all really. These are ornamental crab apples, but they can be used the same as the wild sort.

[LilyRose]

Thank you