According to the Clemson University Horticulture’s website, Black Ruby’s trees can easily tolerate the humid climate, which is why they are cultivated in the damp areas of southern and Mediterranean areas. The mention of plums can be found in ancient documents that date back to 479 B.C and were also domesticated by Chinese around the same time period. From the first distillation you have a very rough Schnapps, which has to be distilled again. syriaca Mirabelle) grows on trees of the Prunus genus and is thought to have originated from a wild-growing fruit in Anatolia, Turkey. Like its skin, the flesh also differs as some are red in color while others in lighter tones of yellow. Join today and save off the newsstand price! (In the Lorraine dialect, it’s more common to hear the German word for eau de vie: Schnapps.). Unlike Japanese plums, they come in an oval shape with lemony green-yellow skin and prominent patches of reddish-blue color. Avoid soggy or soft pluots as chances are they haven’t ripened quite well. These high sugar plums are renowned for their use in various jams, jellies, baked products, and fruit brandy (known as eau de vie). Once dried-out, these tasty fruits retain its sweet flavor which is why they can be deliciously incorporated in different types of dry dishes. Use fresh Mirabelle plums when in season, or Victoria plums, Damsons and Greengages. This stone fruit is exceedingly juicy when firm and soft. Plums are multi-branched, medium-sized, upright to spreading trees that will grow in a wide variety of well drained soils. Mirabelles are distilled to make a local obsession, the fruit brandy known as eau de vie. PLUM OIL is one of the best natural skin moisturizers because of its lightness—it moisturizes dry skin without leaving it greasy. In the United States, the best times to plant are late fall and early spring, or any time the trees are dormant. This bumper harvest would keep the whole family in Schnapps for years to come. The yellow egg plum, also known by the species name Prunus domestica, may be found in either purple or yellow and is quite common in Europe and North America. Already a Member but haven't activated your account. You won’t want to miss the stories about plants passed down from generation to generation. Most Japanese plums begin to bloom and mature earlier than any other type of plums. Mirabelles are grown all over the world, but the two best-known varieties hail from the Lorraine region in France. To help you out in discovering different types of plums, keep on reading this blog post. Discover the best Fresh Plums in Best Sellers. Moyer Plums. I’ve been lucky enough to spend time in Lorraine, living with a family who makes their own delicious mirabelle fruit jams, pies, and Schnapps. ‘Mirabelle de Metz’ is a blush pink color, tastes sweeter, and is good for eating straight from the tree. You can find these fruits in medium to large sizes with moist, reddish flesh. These delicious fruits can be ideally picked in late summers to early autumns. Greengage plums may appear to be deceiving with an unripe-shade – green. You can find a number of varieties of pluots at a market – Dapple Dandy, Flavor Grenade, Flavorglo, and Dinosaur Egg. Commonly referred to as Mirabelle prunes or cherry plums, Mirabelle plums are a surprisingly small and sweet fruit, that are commonly grown in the Lorraine region of France. The fruit is made into jams, jellies, pies, ice cream, compotes, and every other sweet treat imaginable. 1/4 cup (60ml) white wine. It is best to consume yellow plums when freshly harvested. Mirabelle Plum Tree, highly regarded in Europe, this exceptional variety features round, yellow fruit with firm, tender, sweet and delectable, yellow flesh. Like other fruit trees, plums need full sun to produce well. A healthy natural way to help reduce dry skin inflammation, redness and itchiness, plum oil is also an ideal moisturizer for those with psoriasis, eczema, and easily irritated skin. Excellent for fresh fruit, stewing and … Mid - late August. While you can grow your very own Mirabelle plums in your home garden, the most genuine Mirabelle fruit is only grown in France. BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus domestica subsp. Two popular cultivars in Europe are ‘Mirabelle de Metz’ and ‘Mirabelle de Nancy.’ The skin of ‘Mirabelle de Nancy’ fruit is a stronger yellow, and the flesh is firmer and better suited to cooking or distilling. Follow her blog at Season Generously. Lorraine is justifiably proud of its favorite fruit, which holds a central place in its cuisine. Two popular cultivars in Europe are ‘Mirabelle de Metz’ and ‘Mirabelle de Nancy.’ The skin of ‘Mirabelle de Nancy’ fruit is a stronger yellow, and the flesh is firmer and better suited to … According to Bon Appetit , they're banned because true Mirabelles are grown only in Lorraine, France and import laws make them nearly impossible to procure in the United States. The mirabelle fruits ferment throughout autumn, substantially decreasing in volume. Otherwise, the fruit may lose its original flavor and may not taste as vigorous as it ought to. The United States hosts some mirabelle tree producers. Plums would have to be the easiest home garden fruit trees of all. 90% of mirabelle plums grown commercially are made into either jam (70%) or eau de vie (20%). Simply prune off what’s getting out of reach and let them go. Place the plums in a large bowl, and sprinkle ½ cup of sugar on top. 1. People who consider most plums mealy and bland will prefer smaller, firmer, and more intensely flavored mirabelles. Generally, yellow plums are used for making dessert pies, jams, fruit preserves, juices, and plum brandy. (USA only), • 1 year of Mother Earth Gardener magazine both print and digital The fruit is primarily used in fruit preserves and dessert pies, and its juice is commonly fermented for wine or distilled into plum brandy. This late-season plum is sweet, juicy, and has a small pit. It is a yellow, red-flecked and tiny cherry-tomato-sized and sweet and delicate flavor. How to cook plums. Not a true mirabelle, but a hybrid between gage and mirabelle, we had saved from the Geneva New York State plum collection and at last make available ourselves. Ginger-Plum Slump is a cobbler-style dessert made on the stovetop, while Warm Plum Cobbler is a gooey, fruity dish that belongs firmly in the camp of "comfort dessert." Eat sweet dessert plums raw. It is believed that this type of fruit species was first cultivated in Syria and then in Rome; during the Crusades, the Romans introduced European plums to the Western part of Europe. Jean-Paul says, “The Schnapps produced at the end of the distillation is not good, so some of the old folk keep it for cleaning windows, treating wounds, and so on.”. Eighty percent of the world’s commercial mirabelle harvest comes from northeastern France, where Lorraine’s cuisine is unique. However, the truth is greengage plums are naturally green in color even when they become mature. You can also use plucots in other scrumptious dishes like jam, chutney, plum crumbles, etc. Backyard gardeners will appreciate the beauty, productivity, and manageable size of mirabelle plum trees. You can also pair them up with savory food items like cheese such as ricotta and chevre, herbs including chili, basil, and arugula, bacon, seafood, and lamb. 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