Description
Cooke’s Jumbo Quince is a California-discovered culinary quince valued for producing exceptionally large fruit and reliable fall harvests. It’s best known for scale—often described as yielding quinces far larger than standard varieties—making it especially useful for preserves, baking, and quince paste.
The fruit is pear-shaped with yellow to yellow-green skin and firm white flesh, ripening in mid to late fall depending on climate. When cooked, Cooke’s Jumbo develops the classic quince aroma and texture prized in traditional recipes, with the added advantage of fewer fruits needed for large batches due to its size.
This variety is grown for impact and efficiency rather than fresh eating. Productive and straightforward, Cooke’s Jumbo remains a favorite among growers who want a true culinary quince that delivers volume, consistency, and classic cooked flavor.
Overview
- Culinary quince selected for exceptionally large fruit
- Pear-shaped quinces often far larger than standard varieties
- Excellent for baking, preserves, and quince paste
- Dependable fall ripening with heavy yields
- Self-fertile and productive once established
Growing Details
Latin Name: Cydonia oblonga ‘Cooke’s Jumbo’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approx. 100 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5–9
Rootstock: Quince
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 12–15 ft tall and wide with pruning
Bloom Time: Mid-spring
Ripening Time: Mid to late fall; typically September–October (varies by region)
Pollination: Self-fertile; additional quince may improve yield
Pests & Diseases: Standard quince considerations; monitor for fire blight where present
Yield: Heavy yields once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Cooke’s Jumbo was discovered near Dinuba, California and introduced commercially by the L.E. Cooke Company in 1972. It’s often described as a chance selection—possibly related to Smyrna—chosen specifically for its unusually large fruit size. That origin explains its lasting appeal: fewer fruits are needed to produce substantial quantities of paste, jelly, or baked goods.
- Regional Insight: Performs especially well in regions with warm, dry summers and cool fall ripening, including much of California and the Pacific Northwest. Its low chill requirement also allows it to fruit reliably in milder winter climates.
- Because of its size, fruit may benefit from light thinning in heavy-set years.
- Harvest when fruit is fully colored and strongly aromatic for best culinary quality.
