One of the leading cultivars in California. Developed by Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa, California, and released in 1899. Fruit: large, roundish, resembles Orange, but smoother, more globular, lighter in color, and slightly larger; skin light golden, smooth; flesh white, pineapple-like flavor, slightly aromatic, tender when cooked. Tree: ornamental, 3-8 m tall, cold hardy, tolerates wet soil, blooms late, flowers tinted pink, self-fertile, needs 200-300 hours chilling, as productive as Orange. - Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties. Replacements rec'd 2-24-93, 9-15-93
Musk or Pineapple Quince - This is an old variety, that produces a large fruit, but is now discarded. It had its celebrity in this country fifty years ago. The Musk was one of the sorts spoken of by Columella. - W.W. Meech, 1908.
'Pineapple' is a comparatively new variety originated by Luther Burbank and sent out by him in 1899. The originator says that the variety is the result of an effort to secure a quince which upon cooking would become tender as does the flesh of the apple. The flavor, Burbank says, is suggestive of the pineapple, hence the name. In appearance the quince resembles the Orange, but is smoother and more globular, lighter in color, and a little larger. The tree is described as a strong grower and as productive as that of the Orange. -- U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits, 1922.