Poli Museo della Grappa Srlu

Nespolino

• Plant: Loquat, Japanese medlar, Japanese plum (Eriobotrya Japonica)
• Plant part: seed
• Plant feauters: astringent, aromatic, antiviral, diuretic, expectorant, thirst-quenching, antibacterial, analgesic

• Description:

  The Japanese medlar is a typical oriental plant, it originated in fact from eastern China or Japan and also has a very indicative name, Eriobotrya Japonica, which refers of course to its origin and to the hairy appearance of its inflorescences.
  Eriobotrya indeed means hairy bunch.

  Nevertheless, it is a plant that grows also luxuriantly in our territories, especially in the Mediterranean, where it is mainly appreciated for its pleasant and refreshing fruits.

  With the seeds instead a liqueur is obtained, known under the name of Nespolino and vaguely reminiscent oft he taste of bitter almonds.

   

The recipe

• Ingredients:

  - 200 g medlar seeds
  - 1 liter of Grappa
  - syrup obtained with some water and 300 g of sugar
  - 1 vanilla pod
  - some rose petal

• Preparation:

  A Grappa Nespolino is prepared by macerating 200 g of medlar seeds for about 10 days in the sun, so that they are „peeling" spontaneously.
  The peeled seeds are then placed in a glass bottle together with one liter of Grappa and a sugar syrup (water and 300 g of sugar).
  Then you add a vanilla pod and some rose petals.
  The maceration will last one month and the aging process six months.
  The flavor will be reminiscent of almonds and the Grappa will show a colour of golden yellow.