Quinces have a very short season beginning in early Autumn and lasting for approximately six to eight weeks. But before that wonderful point of harvest, is the equally evocative stage of quince blossom, as it heralds the arrival of fruit. It is perhaps my favourite of all blossom with the sweetest fragrance that is never overbearing. It comes later than the other season’s blossom, and stays for the shortest time, but is always striking in its beauty. And then come the large yellow fruit, hanging on the branches like furry lanterns, rich with a honeyed perfume that anyone who loves quinces can probably conjure up just reading this!