One of the most aromatic and nostalgic desserts of Greek cuisine. As it slowly cooks, the quince turns a beautiful ruby orange, the syrup thickens like honey, and the geranium leaves (arbaroriza) perfume the whole kitchen with that unmistakable “Sunday at yiayia’s house” feeling.

This is not just a preserve — it’s tradition in a jar.

STEP 1

Prepare the Almonds

1. Either boil the almonds for 4–5 minutes or place them in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and let sit for 30 minutes.
2. Carefully peel them, trying to keep them whole.
3. Lay them on a towel and let them dry well.
4. Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 140°C (285°F) for about 10 minutes.
   Do not walk away — we don’t want them to brown. Remove and set aside.

STEP 2

Prepare the Quinces

1. Wash and peel the quinces whole.
2. Slice them, then cut into thin matchsticks (a zig-zag knife gives a beautiful decorative look).
3. Immediately place them in a large bowl of water with the juice of 2 squeezed lemons to prevent browning.
4. Take the peels and hard cores with the seeds and boil them in 800 ml water for at least 30 minutes.
5. Strain and reserve 500 ml of this liquid — this natural pectin-rich water will be used for the syrup.

STEP 3

Layering & First Boil
In a wide pot, create 2 layers:

• Half of the quinces
• Half of the sugar
• Remaining quinces
• Remaining sugar

Add: The reserved 500 ml quince water Place over low heat, uncovered. Once it comes to a boil, cook for about 10 minutes. Do not stir aggressively — gently shake the pot instead.
Skim off any foam that rises to the surface using a spoon.

Remove from heat, cover with a clean towel, and let it rest overnight (or until completely cooled).

STEP 4

Final Cooking
Return the pot to the stove. Add the geranium sprig and cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Remove the geranium. Add the almonds and the lemon juice.

The syrup is ready when it falls from the spoon like honey.
(If you want a deeper, more ruby-red color, simply close the lid and boil for an additional 5 minutes.) When slightly cooled, transfer to sterilized jars.

STEP 5

Serving Suggestion 
Serve a spoonful alongside Greek yogurt, over vanilla ice cream, or simply on its own with a glass of chilled Gratsi White Wine — its fresh, crisp character beautifully balances the sweetness and highlights the floral notes of the quince.

Sweet, fragrant, and deeply comforting — just the way it’s been made in Greek homes for generations.