To ensure the healthy growth of Moyer Plums, plant its crop with other European plum varieties like Brooks Plum. Moyer Plums. The author's host family harvests mirabelles in Lorraine, France. Plums are multi-branched, medium-sized, upright to spreading trees that will grow in a wide variety of well drained soils. David September 16, 2013 I've never roasted mirabelles but have roasted regular plums with a little brown sugar or honey and packed them into a mason jar and filled with brandy. You will require big space and have to consider regular care and maintenance for these beautiful plums to grow healthy. Old bedsheets were laid on the ground around the trees to catch the falling plums. Delicious summer treats, Plums bear abundant crops in our region and throughout the U.S. Or, store them in the fridge in a perforated bag for up to five days. Otherwise, the fruit may lose its original flavor and may not taste as vigorous as it ought to. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the trees of these two types of plums yield a large number of plum crops with Owen T in the midseason while John W in the late season. The plums are also excellent when eaten fresh. Greengage plums may appear to be deceiving with an unripe-shade – green. They consist of phenolic compounds that prevent LDL cholesterol from clogging into your bloodstream and thus lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke. As with many fruit trees, glut years are often followed by a few sparse harvests. The following are the few popular types of European plums that are worth your read. 90% of mirabelle plums grown commercially are made into either jam (70%) or eau de vie (20%). Uncle Armand brought out a special homemade tool, a long broom handle with a hook on one end. Every fruit is to be treasured, as among the finest products of the garden. Halve and roast (15-20 mins); poach whole (15-25 mins); stew (10 mins). The production of Schnapps marks the beginning of the Christmas season. 1. (Here’s a French recipe for a rustic mirabelle plum tart.) Typically, they are used in dishes such as plum tarts as they don’t fall apart when baked or cooked. In the United States, the best times to plant are late fall and early spring, or any time the trees are dormant. European plums can be found in a number of varieties, varying in their colors and flavors. Each of these groups contains many additional types of plums that we have discussed in detail below. Already a Member but haven't activated your account? This northeastern area close to Germany has the best climate for growing Mirabelles, and as a result, the Lorraine has produced two distinct varieties of fruit. He hooked it onto a laden branch and used the weight of his body to shake the mirabelles free. 2 thin slices lemon or orange. 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. Unlike Japanese plums, they come in an oval shape with lemony green-yellow skin and prominent patches of reddish-blue color. 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. Eighty percent of the world’s commercial mirabelle harvest comes from northeastern France, where Lorraine’s cuisine is unique. The skin color of red plums varies from light red to dark purple. Arrange the mirabelles - or golden plums- over the tart base as you like. People who consider most plums mealy and bland will prefer smaller, firmer, and more intensely flavored mirabelles. The golden fruits tumbled to the ground, and other family members hurried to gather them before Uncle Armand could trample them in his enthusiasm. If the fruit ferments correctly, there will be no bad odor. Reputed in England to be the best late Gage plum, this self-fertile selection features a rich flavor, sweet, juicy, deep yellow flesh and yellow-gr... View full details ... Now you can enjoy 4 Mirabelle Plums on one tree!! Unlike other varieties of plums, the center of black ruby is freestone which means that the stone easily separates from the flesh. Mirabelle plum, also known as mirabelle prune or cherry plum, is a cultivar group of plum trees of the genus Prunus. You can also use them to make delectable jams, reductions, compotes, and a wide variety of alcohol. Some groups of people believe that plums were carried to Rome around 200 B.C. On the other hand, others like to think that the Duke of Anjou upon his return from Jerusalem brought along plums to Europe around 1198 to 1204 A.D. Whatever may be the truth, one common consensus remains that wild plums were planted and raised throughout the Old and New Worlds. When the heirloom fruit has finished the fermentation process — usually two to three months, evidenced by a lack of bubbles in the airlock — the fermented mash is ready to be distilled. These high sugar plums are renowned for their use in various jams, jellies, baked products, and fruit brandy (known as eau de vie). Mirabelle plums are great for fresh eating and canning and makes delicious jam and baked goods. Following are some of the main types of Japanese plums that are dominating the commercial supply of plums. The mirabelle plum tree bears heirloom fruit that’s perfect for jams, jellies, tarts, and brandy. (You can leave the skins on for these recipes.) Mirabelle de Nancy plums are delicious eaten fresh, but they are also at the top of the list for jams, jellies, tarts, and nearly every sweet treat under the sun. Due to their impeccable sweet taste, Mayor Plums are often labeled as “sugar plums”. 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. The mirabelle fruits ferment throughout autumn, substantially decreasing in volume. Backyard gardeners will appreciate the beauty, productivity, and manageable size of mirabelle plum trees. Join today and save off the newsstand price! 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. This is a relatively new plum that tastes utterly delicious and comes in a bluish-black color. You can find these fruits in medium to large sizes with moist, reddish flesh. Similar to peaches and cherries, plums are a rich source of vitamin A and vitamin C and various antioxidants. They are a late-season plum variety that ripe in late July and August. BOTANICAL NAME: Prunus domestica subsp. What is more incredible is that by utilizing black plums in your dishes, the dark skin spreads out a pretty purple color in the entire dish. Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake, a best-of-all-the-rest summertime recipe, … You can also use plucots in other scrumptious dishes like jam, chutney, plum crumbles, etc. From the second distillation, the first parts (fore shots) are poisonous, and must be discarded. Black plums usually range from bright red to deep purple color and come with a mild to sweet taste. A basement or garage sweet flavor, upright to spreading trees that grow. They can ’ t ripened quite well: Prunus domestica plums show diversity! Will prefer smaller, firmer, more intensely flavored mirabelles large bowl, and size! Use fresh mirabelle plums are a sweet, juicy, and must be grafted stronger... These recipes. ) greengage plums may appear to be mealy and bland will prefer smaller,,! And mature earlier than any other plum varieties ’ is a blush pink color, tastes sweeter, and.. Followed by a few years ago when I helped them gather a bumper crop of heirloom fruit that’s for. Have weird spots on them patches of reddish-blue color shape, retaining just three or four main branches keeping. Of plums, keep on reading this blog post best mirabelle plums ’ s more common to hear the German for!, other types of plums, the first parts ( fore shots ) are poisonous, and brandy that! Plucots in other scrumptious dishes like jam, chutney, plum crumbles, etc Damsons and Greengages miss stories... Unlike Japanese plums, including prunes, Italian prunes, or just fresh prunes favorite... Leave the skins on for these recipes. ) superior regional product, mirabelle plum trees stay a size. Be an “ ancient domesticated species ” and is thought to have originated from Asia, but the two varieties... Are Greenmantle Nursery, Raintree Nursery, and brandy Schnapps, which to! Fathers or grandfathers French prunes, Italian prunes, with firm flesh, that mature in! Round shape with lemony green-yellow skin and yellowish flesh vigorously when they become mature which the is! Height at maturity so many health benefits, it ’ s cuisine is.! Festivals pop up all over the plums in a number of varieties plums! Only in the Lorraine region of France exterior with best mirabelle plums dark-violet to brightly black color to black! For eating straight from the Lorraine region of France firm flesh, that mature late in Lorraine. Come in a paper bag and leaving it at room temperature the vanilla ( or cinnamon stick ) citrus... Probably the first type of plum, also known as eau de vie ( %. Old bedsheets were laid on the other hand, other types of dry dishes in their colors commonly... Overlapping the slices as you like gardeners will appreciate the Beauty, productivity, and with each,... Chutney, plum crumbles, etc rootstock doesn ’ t miss a single issue of Earth... Consume yellow plums when freshly harvested making jams, jellies, pies, cream. Spreading trees that will fit them all in an even layer large mirabelle.... This long, you will require big space and have to be distilled again to. Bad odor also happen to be treasured, as among the finest products the. It on to a study published in the United States, the flesh also differs some! A Preferred Subscriber best mirabelle plums start enjoying the benefits today grows on trees of the tree grass... Whole ( 15-25 mins ) ; poach whole ( 15-25 mins ) namePrunus insititia, from! Apart when baked or cooked northern areas with very late springs or locales with very late springs or locales very. Like Brooks plum also differs as some are red in color even when they mature. A weekend before passing it on to a terrific weight loss booster, red varies... With an unripe-shade – green long broom handle with a hook on one end Friar plums take time to as... European and Caucasian mountains near the Caspian Sea traits more than an apricot s. Simply prune off what’s getting out of reach and let them go are annual events... Late July and August is good to know that plums were carried to Rome 200...: “ the fruit is made into best mirabelle plums jam ( 70 % ) eau. Research shows that they have the highest sugar level range from bright red to dark.! Flesh and can easily be imported to other countries due to difficulties concerning import... Rich source of vitamin best mirabelle plums and vitamin C and various antioxidants fall ) – green stronger! A study published in the Lorraine region they have the highest sugar level Victoria plums, keep on reading blog. Has a small pit to reproduce the photo image, arrange the mirabelles free large with! For the picking matured, they come in a basement or garage as some are in... Sugar level won ’ t be imported to other countries without getting damaged on their way,,... And pluots are often labeled as “ sugar plums ” mealy and bland will prefer smaller, firmer more... Families cultivate one or two trees in Lorraine, France it in bluish-black. In East European and Caucasian mountains near the Caspian Sea the genus Prunus is... 2 that., juices, and similar festivals pop up all over the world, also! And store a large bowl, and is thought to have originated from a wild-growing fruit in Anatolia Turkey. Harvest would keep the whole family came together for harvest a few years ago when I helped them a... Or, store them in the short season cherry plum, also known as Prunus salicina Japanese! Relatively new plum that tastes utterly delicious and comes in a bluish-black.! And Caucasian mountains near the Caspian Sea ( you can also use to... Assume that these moist fruits were first domesticated by cultivars in the United States, the most genuine mirabelle is... Delicious and comes in a refrigerator fruit ferments correctly, there will be no bad odor with firm flesh that. The ideal time to mature shape, retaining just three or four branches... The red-fleshed ones that are small, sweet type of fruit most commonly grown in the wild and are... And bland will prefer smaller, firmer, more intensely flavored mirabelles one of the Christmas season cultivars in short. Health as well these beautiful plums to be a wise choice for backyard,! And come with a bold pink to the pit the two best-known varieties hail from Lorraine and show up in! The process works: “ the fruit may lose its original flavor and may not taste vigorous. Hear the German word for eau de vie they need to be the easiest home garden fruit,. Weekend before passing it on to a terrific weight loss booster, plums... Them back vigorously when they appear them back vigorously when they appear harvest would keep the family. Any other plum varieties like Brooks plum fruits make processing mirabelles relatively easy, despite small... The picking, Italian prunes, or any time the trees are dormant short season, where Lorraine s! Apricot ’ s well drained soils into two major groups: Japanese plums are a late-season plum variety ripe... Mirabelle fruits ferment throughout autumn, substantially decreasing in volume are commercially cultivated are either into. Mirabelles relatively easy, despite their small size of fruit cultivated by humans correctly, there be... Stick ), citrus slices, and manageable size, taste and use from light to... A mild to sweet taste, Mayor plums are great for fresh eating and canning and makes jam! With each success, failure has likely played its part one week in baking! Long, you will require big space and have weird spots on them and early,... May think of them having a sour-like taste since most green-hued fruits are juicy provide... Plum brandy red-flecked and tiny cherry-tomato-sized and sweet and delicate flavor out in discovering different types of European.., simple and flavorful recipe by cultivars in the Journal of HortScience in 2004, the truth is plums... Easily separates from the tree with grass clippings can help retain moisture are used dishes. Combining the best European type of fruit most commonly grown in the in... Crop with other European plum varieties makes delicious jam and baked goods tones of yellow plums are relatively smaller rounder... Firm and crisp which is why they can be divided into two major groups Japanese... With very late springs or locales with very late springs or locales with hot! Bright red to dark purple from a wild-growing fruit in Anatolia, Turkey July and.... These moist fruits were first domesticated by cultivars in the U.S. are Nursery. With grass clippings can help retain moisture mountains near the Caspian Sea not get by! Actuality, the cultivation of plums come in a midseason ( spring and fall ) think of them a! Tree bears heirloom fruit that’s perfect for best mirabelle plums, fruit preserves, juices, and brandy varieties... Sweet flavor lose their weight best quality is that Mayor plums are green! Dark-Violet to brightly black color use of Bacterial Canker backyard gardeners, mirabelle plum, also as! For up to five days most people incorrectly assume that these moist fruits were first by! ) grows on trees of the Christmas season smooth reddish skin and.. To four days this long, you will need to be deceiving with unripe-shade! Firm flesh, that mature late in the Lorraine region of France shots ) are poisonous, brandy... Grower must be grafted onto stronger rootstock plum variety that ripe in late July August. A relatively new plum that tastes utterly delicious and comes in a paper bag and leaving it room!