Plum (Damson)

The damson plum is a small stone fruit of purple to dark blue colour, related to the common plum but smaller and with firmer flesh. It grows on trees of the Rosaceae family and is widespread across Europe and Asia. It has a sweet-tart, pronounced flavour and an aromatic scent. It is eaten fresh, dried into prunes, or processed into jams, compotes and fillings. It is an essential ingredient for the production of slivovitz, a traditional distilled spirit. Plums are rich in vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants. The season falls at the end of summer and in autumn, when they are sweetest and most juicy.