The Proof Is In The Plum

Of the various types of plums, most of us have probably only tasted a few at most and possibly are even unaware that there are different kinds. The varieties aren't endless, and in fact number under a dozen.

Plums are believed to be the first type of fruits cultivated by human beings. It's supposed to have started in Eastern Europe and the mountains near Caspian Sea.

Some believe that they were then carried to Rome around 200 BC and subsequently introduced to northern Europe. And were supposedly domesticated by the Chinese around 479 BC.

While there's no way to tell how much of that's true, the fact is that wild plums were grown all over the Old and New Worlds.

Black plums have mild to sweet taste and are usually used in tarts to add texture to baked dishes. The red ones have a sweet-tart flavor, and the yellow varieties are smaller, rounder and are also called lemon plums. They have a crisp and firm texture and are great for pies and jams.

This month we are celebrating just three English varieties as our FRUIT OF THE MONTH for August, prime plum season in the Northern hemisphere.

Damson

This is a European variety of plum with dark skin and tart-flavored skin and flesh. Although damsons are high in sugar content, they taste a bit bitter and are acidic.

Their skin is purplish-blue in color and the flesh is often yellowish-green and has a sour taste which makes them a great addition to sweet and savoury dishes.

Greengage

These plum types appear in a shade of pale yellow-green to bright lime and have red specks on the surface. But that's their natural color even after the fruits mature.

If you expect them to taste a little sour like other green fruits, you'll be pleasantly surprised by their sweetness.

Greengage plums come from small to medium sizes, depending on the variety and have a dense and juicy flesh with a great balance of sweetness, and the acidity of citrus fruits.

These plums are sold in the summer as Imperial Gage, Reine Claude, Bryanston, Golden Transparent, Laxton’s Gage and Cambridge Gage.

Victoria

The Victoria plum is by far the most popular plum we get in the store.  It is also probably the most popular fruit tree of any species sold in UK garden centres, being self-fertile and well-known for heavy crops of very attractive fruit with a lovely red-plum colour.

Victoria really excels as a culinary plum.  It cooks to a distinctive pink/orange puree which makes very good jam and a good-flavoured filling for pies and crumbles.