The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a small, round-to-oval, orange-yellow subtropical fruit borne in clusters on an evergreen tree of the rose family. Under its thin, faintly downy skin lies juicy, sweet-tart flesh that tastes of apricot, citrus and plum, wrapped around two to five large, glossy brown seeds. Unusually among temperate fruits it flowers in autumn and ripens in spring, and it is eaten fresh out of hand, poached, and cooked into jams, syrups and liqueurs.