My new favorite fruit

Ripe Loquat, originally uploaded by hnry_hansen.

(I have like 5 other posts written, but this is so good I have to share).

Chris' dad offered us a small container of loquats the other day. I had no idea what a loquat was, so with trepidation, I accepted the ripe fruit handed to me.

HEAVEN. Pure. Unadulterated. Heaven.

It came from their neighbor's front yard, and sure enough I turned around to see a tree full of semi-ripe loquats. For half a second I considered going over there and asking for more. What great jam these must make! (I should have).

The neighbors have lived there for as long as Chris' parents have, and the tree is likely fairly old (10-20 years?). These neighbors had lots of fruit trees as Chris grew up, and he and his dad still talk about the plum tree they had that wept over the fence, providing them with plums galore.

I mention the age of the loquat tree because I'm hoping to grow one from the seeds I've collected. I'm thinking this tree isn't grafted only because it's overgrown, but there isn't two kinds of trees on one (as would happen if the rootstock were allowed to grow as well).

Wish me luck! Adventures always!

Here's a picture of one of my favorite homesteaders, Anais, and my favorite blog, Urban Homestead in the City, under what I believe is a loquat tree.