REINE CLAUDE GREENGAGE PLUMS

Origin: France

Season: June - August

These exceptional greengages represent ancient French plum varieties that offer a sweetness and depth of flavour rarely found in modern commercial cultivars. Unlike mass-produced plums, these traditional varieties are cultivated using natural methods and allowed to ripen completely on the tree, ensuring maximum flavour development and exceptional eating quality.

The distinctive surface scarring that develops on these plums serves as nature's own indicator of perfect ripeness and full maturity. Rather than being a flaw, this natural marking signals when the fruit has reached optimal harvest condition. As the growing season progresses, both the colour intensity and characteristic scarring become more pronounced, indicating the fruit's increasing maturity and flavour concentration.

Our greengage season begins with Reine Claude Dorée, an early variety prized for its exceptional sweetness and tender flesh. This is followed by Reine Claude de Bavay, which offers a firmer texture and more complex flavour profile that develops later in the season. Each variety brings its own unique characteristics whilst maintaining the exceptional quality that defines these ancient cultivars.

Both varieties are sourced directly from a dedicated specialist grower of stone fruit located in Montauban, in the heart of southwest France's renowned fruit-growing region. This partnership ensures access to the finest examples of these traditional varieties, grown with expertise and passion that honours their ancient heritage.

These greengages excel when eaten fresh, where their complex sweetness and unique flavour profile can be fully appreciated. Their natural sweetness also makes them ideal for preserves, tarts, and traditional French confections, whilst their firm texture when cooked makes them suitable for both sweet and savoury applications where their distinctive flavour adds sophistication to any dish.

Net: 500g