Eriobotrya japonica Argelino - Japanese Loquat

Japanese Loquat 'Argelino' (Eriobotrya japonica) is a variety renowned for its abundant production of deliciously refreshing golden-orange fruits. Native to Algeria and highly prized in the Mediterranean, this fruit tree is characterised by its beautiful evergreen foliage, elegant habit, and honey-producing, fragrant autumn flowering. Bountiful harvests can be enjoyed in mild climates, even those that are very dry in summer. Elsewhere, it will add a touch of exoticism to the garden throughout the year.

Japanese Loquat 'Argelino' belongs to the Rosaceae family. Native to Japan and China, the species has become naturalised in many subtropical and temperate regions around the world. The 'Argelino' variety was developed in Algeria before being introduced to Spain in the early 20th century. It is the most widely cultivated variety in Spain today. It is also known as 'Algar', named after a valley in the municipality of Callosa d'en Sarrià (in Valencian...) in the province of Alicante, home to the largest loquat production in southern Europe. The 'Argelino' loquat is susceptible to scab. It is a self-fertile variety, but production will be greater when another Japanese loquat is planted nearby.

This fruit tree has an upright habit with a spreading crown and can reach a height of 6 to 8 m. Its foliage is evergreen in winter, with large, dark green leaves deeply veined and measuring between 20 and 25 cm in length. The leaves are alternate, oblong, with spaced serrations, and their underside is densely hairy, with a downy texture. Young shoots and buds are also cottony, hence the genus name Eriobotrya, meaning "woolly cluster" in Greek.

Flowering typically occurs in October-November. The flowers, arranged in downy pyramidal clusters, are creamy white and emit a pleasant scent of bitter almond. They measure about 2 cm in diameter and have five petals. The loquats ripen from May to June. They are ovoid, yellow-orange to golden-orange, with an average size of 4 cm and a weight of around 65 g. The orange flesh is juicy, sweet, and slightly tangy. They contain 1 to 4 inedible stones.

Harvesting Japanese Loquats 'Argelino' takes place in spring, when the fruits turn orange and become slightly soft to the touch. They detach easily from the tree and should be consumed quickly, as they are fragile and perishable.

In cooking, loquats can be enjoyed fresh, simply peeled and stoned. They are also ideal for making jams, compotes, sorbets, and pastries. In some regions, they are used to prepare artisanal liqueurs or chutneys to accompany meats and cheeses. The fruits are rich in vitamins A and C.