Spa Cuisine: Quintessential Quince

By: Cathy Christensen

Posted: October 28, 2011, from the November 2011 issue of Skin Inc. magazine.

Sidebars

• Quick Facts: Quince
• Spa Cuisine Recipe: Quince Jelly
• Treatment How-to: The Garden Harvest Body Treatment

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Golden Bear Cheese Palette With Membrillo Quince Paste—Grapeseed Spa at the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula, California; and

Quince Jelly—See recipe from Andrew Birse, Head Chef for The Thai Foot Spa in Brisbane, Australia.

In the spa

Along with its delicate flavor and amazing aroma, the quince also has been used therapeutically in a variety of ways, for the body’s general health, as well as the health of the skin. High in quercetin, a flavenoid known for its notable antioxidant potency, the quince helps tighten and tone sluggish, large-pored skin, helping increase elasticity and rejuvenate skin. The pectin from quince seeds also has a cooling, protecting, softening, calming and anti-irritating effect.⁶ Quince is no stranger to spa treatments, and is a popular addition to a variety of different services, including:

The White Tea Spa Signature Facial, which includes a quince and ice wine mask that helps firm and restore radiance—White Tea Med Spa, New York City;

The Vino Choc Indulge Facial includes quince combined with Hungarian Tokay grapes, champagne and orange essential oil for revitalized skin—Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort, Queensland, Australia;