Mespilus germanica or hawthorn, to improve their performance in different soils. "Mespilus germanica" fruits are hard and acidic, but become edible after being softened, 'bletted', by frost, or naturally in storage given sufficient time. Once softening begins, the skin rapidly takes on a wrinkled texture and turns dark brown, and the inside reduces to the consistency and flavour reminiscent of apple sauce. This process can confuse those new to medlars, as a softened fruit looks as if it has spoiled. Once bletted, the fruit can be eaten raw and is often eaten as a dessert, or used to make medlar jelly. They
And Can It Be followed thee" are based on the story of the Liberation of Saint Peter in the New Testament. And Can It Be "And Can It Be That I Should Gain?" is a Christian hymn written by Charles Wesley. Diarmaid MacCulloch suggests that the hymn is one of the best-loved of Wesley's six thousand hymns. It is also the source for the 2003 song "You Are My King (Amazing Love)" which reached No. 1 on the "Billboard" Christian songs chart. "And Can It Be" was written in 1738 to celebrate Wesley's conversion, which he regarded as having taken place on 21 May