Quince Seeds: Persians’ Remedy To Soar Throat And Cough
I have many fond memories of my maternal grandmother. She was a lovely woman who took care of everyone around her. She was kind, generous, and gentle. She was the best person you could imagine having by your side when you were sick. She took very good care of me when I would get sick. A pot of soup would always be made. At night Vicks was a staple, she always rubbed some on my throat and chest. One of the other things that she always made for me when I had a soar throat and cough was brew some Quince Seeds, Beh Daneh. I hated it and dreaded the moment she approached me with the glass and fed me the damn thing with a tea spoon. OH MY GOD it was gross.
As you may have noticed from my previous post for Persian Chicken Soup, I have been sick. I am still not back to 100% and still feel loopy. Anyway, while I had a soar throat and was coughing I thought I would make myself the same thing that my grandma used to make for me and also post it here for the rest of you to try.
I went to our local Persian market and purchased a bag of Quince Seeds. The direction on the back of the package says to mix 1 tablespoon of the seeds with 8 ounces of water and boil them together. Then drink the liquid.
Here is a new fancy word “mucilage.” Oh so fancy!
I don’t remember my grandma making it that way. If memory serves me right this is grandma’s way of making it.
I found using one of this Chinese Tea Cup with its own infuser to be the easiest way. This tea cup was given to me by an ex-coworker upon her return from a trip to China. I don’t use it very often though because I am never happy with just one cup of tea!!!
Place 1 tablespoon of seeds in the infuser.
Add hot water.
Cover and let steep. I never drank it hot as a child, only at room temperature.
If you look at the seeds after they have spent some time steeping, you will notice that the water becomes a bit jelly like. That’s what they mean by mucilage!
Remove the infuser with the seeds and sip on the liquid every few hours.
February 17, 2010
Since I’m still recovering from a pesky cold with sore throat and cough, I’m very curious to know: did it help you feel better this time?? Should I look for the seeds here in West Texas in case I need them again soon?
Love your Persian Kitchen…
Thanks!
February 17, 2010
Nancy, the purpose of the seeds to to sooth the throat. They definitely did that for me! Feel better!
December 11, 2010
u should also suck on the seeds as well (you can chew them and eat them but that might make ur throat uncomfortable) b/c a LOT of the “gel” is still around the seed 😀
December 28, 2010
It definitely works. I’ve been looking for them everywhere, here in London, this evening, couldn’t find the seeds and at the end bought some fresh quince to take the seeds out. It works, but you just get very small amount in one quince. So I keep looking for the seeds.
Yes, it works!
October 5, 2011
asalam alaikum
very usefull information keep it sending
November 9, 2011
Quince seeds really works I tried it every time when ever I felt sour throat or chest problems, its works dramatically usually I just put in mouth and chew it. But I would suggest for people who have chest congestion problems. It really works I used it from boyhood till now, it works also for any infection in mouth.
Tariq Canada
February 25, 2012
I teach 4 yr olds and we are doing Q. The book gave us quince jam, they wanted to know is it a fruit? When they see something new they are very curious. We all have memories of Grandma, I think. Mine was Italian and taught my Mom how to cook all the things my Dad liked to eat. Nona, as we called her even made her own noodles. Yum
February 29, 2012
Assalaamu Alaikum ,
Does any one know of a online seller of quince seeds in UK OR EUROPE or worldwide?
Thanks
Tahir , London / UK
May 29, 2012
I love this idea! I’ll try this next time quince are in season. I’m happy to discover yet another natural Persian remedy.
May 24, 2013
thank you for the post. it’s very useful.
I have been looking for this Quince Seeds all over London but I didn’t find yet. where can you find them in London? or where are all the Iranian shops?.
I want to buy these seeds.
June 3, 2013
Sana, I don’t live in London. Have you tried asking the shop keeper about the seeds? Otherwise, you can look online.
July 2, 2014
Hi! I’ve been following your website for a long time now and finally got the courage to go
ahead and give you a shout out from Atascocita
Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent job!
December 18, 2015
very useful and effective thank you so much
March 4, 2017
Hi , I have a question . I had read that if you eat or chew to many of the quince seeds that it can poison you. That it has a little portion of cynide in them . Is this true?
March 7, 2017
Hi
You can buy quince seeds and a wide range of other Iranian ingredients from Persepolis in Peckham. They have a website too.
March 7, 2017
Charlene, I have no idea.