Loquat (Nispero), raw (organic?)

The Japanese loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica) is also known as Japanese medlar, loquat and nispero. It is edible raw and pure, but can also be processed, e.g. into jam. Organic?

Use in the kitchen

The taste of the Japanese loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica), also often called Japanese medlar, nispero or loquat, is sweet and sour, slightly tart and reminiscent of apples and apricots. The fruit is juicy and refreshing. Ripe fruits are relatively soft due to the breakdown and hydrolysis of the pectin and lignin content. ¹⁵

The loquat fruit is mainly the size of a plum. Loquat varieties are divided into two main groups based on the color of their flesh: white and yellow to orange-fleshed varieties. Different levels of carotenoids lead to these differences in fruit color. ^12,15 Is the skin of the Japanese loquat edible? This exotic pome fruit has a slightly hairy, smooth skin that is a little tougher than an apple skin. If there are a few brown spots on the skin, the fruit is ripe. The spots are therefore not a sign of spoilage. ¹ You can peel off the skin or eat it.

In the middle of the compact pulp there are usually 3-4 (sometimes more) hard, shiny brown seeds that can be easily removed. They look similar to almonds, but are not recommended for consumption (see chapter "Danger - Intolerances - Side Effects"). ¹

How should you eat the Japanese loquat? The Japanese loquat fruit tastes best straight from the tree as a snack or raw for dessert. In a fruit salad it goes well with oranges and coconut flakes. The fruit can also be used to make raw smoothies or other desserts (e.g. vegan ice cream, tarts, cakes).

If you cook Nispero, the fruit loses most of its health-promoting properties. However, it is said that the fruit develops a distinctive aroma when steamed. In Brazil, the loquat is boiled with water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and brandy after the seeds have been removed, and the compote is then enjoyed. In Europe, unripe, still sour Japanese medlars are used for jelly and jam. These often come from Italy, are small and orange in color. ²

Vegan recipe for raw smoothie with Japanese medlar

Ingredients (for 2-4 people): 6-8 Japanese medlars (raw, preferably organic), 1 cherimoya, 2 carambola (star fruits), 1 grapefruit, 4 oranges, 1 lemon.

Preparation: Cut the loquats in half, pull out the flowers with the core and peel off the skin if necessary. Cut the cherimoya in half, peel them, remove the stem and any brown spots. Cut the cherimoya into wedges like an apple and remove the black seeds. Remove the brownish edges of the star fruit, cut into stars and remove the seeds with the tip of a knife. Put the fruit in a blender and mix until it has a creamy consistency. Squeeze the grapefruit, oranges and lemon and add the juice to the blender. Mix again at the highest setting and serve the vegan loquat smoothie.

Tip: Put a few star fruit slices aside to decorate the glasses.

Vegan recipes with loquat can be found under the note: " Recipes that have the most of this ingredient ".

Purchasing - Storage

Loquats are rarely found in supermarkets (eg Coop, Migros, Denner, Volg, Spar, Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, Edeka, Hofer, Billa) and organic supermarkets (eg Denn's Biomarkt, Alnatura). Try to buy loquats from a specialised fruit dealer, delicatessen, Asian shop or online shop.

Nisperos are also available in cans. The fruit used for this often comes from China. The fruits in them are large, peeled and pitted, but do not taste very hearty. ² The fruit juice of the Japanese medlar tastes better. In Hesse there is a popular drink specialty called 'Das Mispelchen': a Japanese medlar fruit pickled in Calvados, sometimes mixed with medlar juice. ³

Storage tips

The loquat fruit is not climacteric (does not ripen), is susceptible to bruising and spoils very easily. ¹⁵ Storage in the refrigerator is possible for several days.

Ingredients - Nutritional values - Calories

The Japanese loquat (raw) contains 47 kcal per 100 g. 12 g carbohydrates are contained in 100 g of loquats. Fat (0.2 g/100g) and protein content (0.43 g/100g) are low. ⁴

100 g of raw Japanese medlars contain 266 mg of potassium (13% of the daily requirement). This content is comparable to that of apricots (259 mg/100g) and goji berries (276 mg/100g). Dried herbs such as coriander leaves with 4,466 mg/100g or dill with 3,308 mg/100g contain many times more potassium, but only small amounts are usually used. ⁴

Does the Japanese loquat contain vitamins? Raw nisperos contain 76 µg/100g of vitamin A (10% of the daily requirement). Persimmons (81 µg/100g) and apricots (96 µg/100g) contain a similar amount. Carrots contain almost eleven times as much vitamin A, at 835 µg/100g. ⁴

Japanese medlars (raw) contain 0.15 mg of manganese per 100 g (7% of the daily requirement). Guavas (0.15 mg/100g) and gooseberries (0.14 mg/100g) have comparable amounts. Pine nuts are particularly rich in manganese, with 8.8 mg/100g. ⁴

The complete ingredients of Japanese loquat, the coverage of the daily requirement and comparison values with other ingredients can be found in our nutrient tables. In the article Nutrients explained you will get a detailed insight into the topic.

Health effects

Is the Japanese loquat healthy? Japanese loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica) has shown various health-promoting properties, such as hypolipidemic, antithrombotic, antiallergic and antinociceptive activities. In addition, loquat extracts improve the function of the liver, lungs, kidneys and neuronal cells, counteract obesity and have anti-aging effects. In addition, scientific studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of various loquat tissues such as leaves, seeds and fruits. ¹²

Nispero extracts exhibit chemoprotective properties against various cancer cell lines. These can suppress carcinogenesis at different stages of progression, e.g. carcinogenesis, proliferation and metastasis. ¹²

Eriobotrya japonica also has great anti-diabetes potential. Research has shown that extracts from Japanese medlar leaves or seeds are useful in preventing and controlling type 1 and type 2 diabetes. ¹²

Japanese medlars also have a diuretic effect. This causes deposits in the urinary tract to be excreted. Loquat is therefore recommended for gout, excess uric acid, kidney stones and kidney failure. Its low protein content and high mineral content support this medlar healing effect. ⁷

Since Japanese loquats have a slightly astringent and normalizing effect on intestinal transit, they are recommended as the first solid food after periods of fasting or liquid diets (due to infectious diarrhea). ⁷

Nisperos also reduce the levels of free lipoproteins, which narrow the arteries and increase cholesterol levels in the blood. ¹⁵

Secondary plant substances

Many of the health effects of Japanese loquats can be attributed to the secondary plant substances they contain. Our article on secondary plant substances provides an overview of the classification of substance groups, their occurrence in foods and possible effects on humans. The Japanese loquat contains the following secondary plant substances, among others: ^{7, 12,15,17,18}

• Isoprenoids: terpenes (ursolic acid, chlorogenic acid), carotenoids (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin)
• Polyphenols: phenolic acids, flavonoids (quercetin glycosides), tannins

However, it should be noted that the composition of secondary plant substances in Japanese loquats can vary depending on the variety, time of harvest and growing conditions. Therefore, quantities are only of limited use and should only be understood roughly.

The composition of the extracts from the different parts of the Japanese medlar plant varies considerably: Loquat leaves and flowers contain phenols and triterpenes; the fruits are rich in sugars, organic acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and vitamins; the core contains mainly proteins, starch, tannins and minerals. ¹² Flavonoids are only found in the peel tissue of the nispero fruit, while other phenols and carotenoids are also found in the pulp. ¹⁵

Carotenoids are mainly responsible for the color of the flesh and peel, which ranges from yellowish-white to yellow and deep orange. The levels of carotenoids vary in the flesh and peel. In the peel, the carotenoid levels are several times higher than in the pulp. The biosynthesis of carotenoids increases steadily as the fruit ripens. The main component of the ripe loquat fruit is β-carotene in the flesh and β-cryptoxanthin in the peel tissues. The carotene content also varies depending on the variety. That of yellow-orange varieties is up to ten times higher than that of yellow-white varieties, while the levels of zeaxanthin, lutein and violaxanthin in yellow-orange fruits are significantly lower. ^15,17

Triterpenes and flavonoids are the main bioactive compounds responsible for pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. Hepatoprotective, bronchodilator, antitussive and expectorant properties, as well as a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the trachea, protection against myocardial ischemia damage and improvement of cognitive abilities have also been reported. ¹⁸

Various studies have demonstrated the antioxidant capacity of Japanese medlar extracts. Both phenolic compounds and triterpenic acids contribute to this activity. ¹²

The triterpene esters contained in it are effective against colds and cold viruses. ⁸

Dangers - Intolerances - Side effects

The seeds of the Japanese loquat contain the substance amygdalin, like apricot seeds or bitter almonds. During digestion, amygdalin is converted into harmful hydrogen cyanide. Consumption of large quantities can cause symptoms of poisoning (such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting). ¹¹ Unripe fruits can also be toxic. ¹⁷

Folk medicine - natural medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM), dried loquat leaves are often used to treat coughs due to pneumonia, dyspnea due to asthma and cough, nausea due to stomach problems, restlessness and thirst. In Japanese folk medicine, Japanese medlar is used to treat stomach pain, ulcers, chronic bronchitis, cancer and diabetes mellitus. ¹⁸

According to a study by the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a 1994 article states that the cough syrup 'Pei Pa Kao' has been proven to be very effective against cough, sputum and asthma. ¹⁰

Ecological footprint - Animal welfare

Loquat trees are resilient and do not require much water or care. Although they are susceptible to pest infestation, chemical-free measures such as covering the fruit clusters with nets or plastic bags are widely used and can be very effective. When purchasing loquats, it is best to opt for organic products to avoid exposure to potentially toxic and environmentally harmful agricultural practices. ⁵

According to a study from Cyprus (2020), the water footprint of Japanese loquats is 406 l of water per 1 kg of fruit. The amount of artificial irrigation required is relatively low at 47 l/kg - the remaining water comes from precipitation. The results of the study show that loquats use irrigation water very effectively. ⁶

For detailed explanations of various sustainability indicators (such as ecological footprint, _CO2 footprint, water footprint), see our article: What does the ecological footprint mean?

Animal protection - species protection

The Japanese loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica) competes with the native vegetation in some areas, displaces it and is therefore considered invasive, for example in the Mediterranean region, on the Galapagos Islands, in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Hawaii, Trinidad and Tobago, Réunion and South Africa. ¹⁷

Worldwide distribution - cultivation

The Japanese medlar ( Eriobotrya japonica), a subtropical, evergreen fruit tree, was planted in the royal gardens of kings and princesses in the Han Dynasty of China 2000 years ago, according to historical records. ¹⁶

Modern loquat cultivars have emerged from a single domestication event. The Hubei province in China is considered to be the center of origin of the cultivated Japanese loquat. In the 12th century, the Japanese loquat was introduced to Japan. From China and Japan, the plant spread to the rest of the world. ¹⁶

China is the world's largest producer of nispero, producing about 80% of the world's loquat crop - that is about 1 million tons per year. ^16,17 However, cultivation has spread to many countries. More than 30 countries cultivate Japanese loquats, including Japan, India, the United States, Brazil, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Spain. ^15,17,18

The Japanese medlar is a long-lived tree, and even orchards over 90 years old are still productive. ¹⁷

Found in the wild

The original and natural distribution area of the Japanese loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica) is China. ¹⁹

Although the Japanese loquat was introduced as a garden tree in many places, it is now naturalized in India, South Asia, the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, North, Central and South America, the West Indies and many islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In general, loquats are found between 20° and 35° north and south latitude (subtropics). ¹⁷

But there are also some wild specimens further north, for example in Switzerland (in southern Ticino). ¹³

Growing your own

Japanese loquats can be planted in a sunny to partially shaded location in the garden or on the terrace or balcony that is protected from wind and rain. The plants need permeable soil (e.g. potted plant soil). Loquats grow up to 2-3 meters high in pots - so choose a pot that is large enough so that the plant does not fall over. ⁹

Between spring and autumn, the substrate should be kept permanently moist, but waterlogging should be avoided. The plant tolerates short periods of drought, as long as this does not occur too often. During the growth phase between May and August, the plant can be fertilized every two weeks. ⁹

From November onwards, the Japanese loquat should be placed in a cool room (e.g. in a winter garden or an unheated room) with temperatures of around 10 °C and bright conditions to overwinter. ⁹

When does the Japanese loquat bear fruit? Grafted trees grow faster and, if well cared for, produce stone fruits in the spring (between February and May). ⁹

Further information

The Japanese loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica) belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae), which also includes the European medlar ( Mespilus germanica). It does not belong to the genus of medlars ( Mespilus) and is therefore not actually a medlar.

The evergreen, small Nispero tree (sometimes up to 10 m high) has 10-30 cm long, elongated-elliptical leaves. The upper side of the leaf is leathery and shiny, the underside is finely hairy. The flowers are white and arranged in terminal panicles. Fruits are round to elliptical, between 2 and 6 cm in size, with an average weight of 30-40 g. Some varieties weigh more, however - the largest variety weighs more than 200 g. The color of the pulp and the skin varies from variety to variety (white, yellow, orange). Inside there are usually 3-4 large seeds. The proportion of pulp is between 60 and 80%. ^13,17

The genus name Eriobotrya is derived from the Greek words 'erion' (wool) and 'botrys' (grape) for the woolly, tuft-like panicles. ¹⁴

Some important loquat cultivars grown worldwide include Advance (yellow skin, white flesh), Premier (salmon-orange skin with spots, white flesh), Jiefangzhong (yellow skin and flesh) and Mammoth (orange skin and flesh). Late-ripening varieties include Ahdar (green-yellow skin, white flesh) and Tanaka (yellow-orange skin, brown-orange flesh), while early-ripening varieties include Compagne (golden-yellow skin, yellowish-white flesh), Mogi (yellow skin, light yellow flesh) and Thames Pride (yellow skin, pale orange flesh). ¹⁵

Alternative names

Alternative names for the Japanese medlar are Japanese medlar, loquat, nispero (níspero), mispero and nespolo.

In English it is called loquat and Japanese medlar. The Italian name is Nespola, Nespolo del Giappone or Nispolero, the Spanish Níspero del Japón or Mispero. In Chinese it is called Pipa (Piba, Biba), in Japanese Biwa (Bipa).

Be careful when using the name 'Nespolo' without an extension. 'Nespolo' (Italian) often means Nespolo commune, the common medlar ( Mespilus germanica).

Latin synonyms are Mespilus japonica Thunb., Mespilus pomifera Roxb. ex W.Hunter, Photinia japonica (Thunb.) Hemsl., Rhaphiolepis loquata BBLiu & J.Wen. ¹⁹

Other uses

The seeds of the Japanese medlar were used to make wine. ¹⁷

In India and East Africa, loquats are often grown on the outskirts of residential areas to feed goats and cattle. They are also planted as an ornamental tree, hedge tree and shade tree in gardens, parks, roadsides and sidewalks. The wood is pink, hard, densely grained and is used in furniture making. The wood is also used to make stringed instruments. ¹⁷