Owned by Nan Stefanik, Vermont Quince Company specializes in unique, tasty condiments using, what else? Quince! On a trip to Spain, Nan was introduced to dulce de membrillo (quince paste) and upon her return she started experimenting with quince candies, preserves and syrups. Encouraged by family and friends, she started the Vermont Quince Company in 2012. Although quince appears to be an exotic fruit, it is actually an ancient cousin of the apple and pear. Grown in Colonial America for it's high pectin content, quince is an ideal fruit for use in preserves and though it grows well in this region, it remains a relatively obscure fruit among local orchards. Nevertheless, Nan is able to source her fruit from Vermont and New Hampshire, encouraging commercial growers to join the "quince revival"!
