Full Answer
What is another name for a damson?
The damson (/ ˈdæmzən /) or damson plum (Prunus domestica subsp. insititia, or sometimes Prunus insititia), also archaically called the "damascene", is an edible drupaceous fruit, a subspecies of the plum tree.
When were damsons used in Britain?
There is a body of anecdotal evidence that damsons were used in the British dye and cloth manufacturing industries in the 18th and 19th centuries, with examples occurring in every major damson-growing area ( Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Shropshire and Worcestershire ).
Is Damson a British fruit?
Robert Hogg commented that "the Damson seems to be a fruit peculiar to England. We do not meet with it abroad, nor is any mention of it made in any of the pomological works or nurseryman's catalogues on the Continent".
What are the characteristics of damson?
The main characteristic of the damson is its distinctive rich flavour; unlike other plums it is both high in sugars and highly astringent.
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Do damsons grow in the USA?
It was regarded as thriving better in the continental United States than other European plum varieties; many of the earliest references to European plums in American gardens concern the damson. A favourite of early colonists, the tree has escaped from gardens and can be found growing wild in states such as Idaho.
Are damsons and plums the same?
Damsons are longer in shape than plums. They generally have deep blue skins and they are spicier and more tart, making them better for cooking. They're a popular pick for jam making. Damsons also have a reputation for being hardier, thanks to their wild ancestry.
Is a wild plum a Damson?
Although the term has regionally been applied to several different kinds of "wild plum" found in the United Kingdom, it is usually taken to refer to varieties with a spherical shape, as opposed to the oval damsons. (L.)
Is a damson plum a prune plum?
Shropshire Prune (also known as Prune Damson) is one to choose for neat, compact growth, or you could look for a tree grown on Pixy rootstock to restrict growth to 8-10 feet (2.4-3m). Damsons are self-fertile, so you don't need to plant more than one.
What are damsons called in France?
Damson: plum full of taste! The damson, known as quetsche in French, is a variety of plum with a blueish purple skin and golden yellow and red flesh. It differs from other types of plums in that it lends itself especially well to being frozen and is therefore often referred to as dark-red plum when processed or baked.
Are Sloes the same as damsons?
A ripe, if one can ever call them ripe, damson. Damsons are best cooked into jams, jellies, leathers or other puddings or used as a substitute for sloes when making sloe gin....Damson.Hedgerow TypeSeason EndOct3 more rows
Can you eat damsons straight from the tree?
It is technically possible to enjoy damsons straight off the tree, but only if you've found the right variety growing in a sunny spot so they're burstingly ripe – and that's a state that the local bird and wasp populations are unlikely to consent to.
Are damsons native to UK?
They were introduced to Britain by the Romans Leaves are oval shaped, wrinkled and slightly downy underneath. They broaden slightly on the top half. Possible lookalikes Bullace, Blackthorn (sloes), Green Gage and Wild Plums could all be mistaken for Damson. Fortunately, all of the fruit of these is edible.
Can you eat damson plums?
You technically can eat a Damson plum straight from the tree, but Damson Plums are not recommended for fresh eating. Oftentimes Damson Plums have a sweet and sour flavor and can not be the most pleasant plum to eat straight from the tree. Damson plums are best when used in baking or combined to create a jam or jelly.
Where can I find damsons?
Damsons are a member of the plum family, frequently found in hedgerows, parks, woodlands and gardens in September and October. The fruit is slightly bigger than a large grape and resembles small plums.
Are damsons good for you?
The most important health benefits of damson plums include their ability to improve the digestive system, lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, strengthen bones, increase energy, optimize sleeping patterns, decrease your risk of certain types of cancer, and boost the immune system.
How do you eat damsons?
Modern cultivated damsons (such as the Merryweather variety) can be eaten raw when ripe, although there is about as much stone as there is flesh. In general, they're best cooked, which brings out their sweet, spicy flavour. Many home-brewers are also eager to harvest the fruit to make damson 'wine' or damson gin.
What is a damson plum?
insititia, or sometimes Prunus insititia), also archaically called the "damascene", is an edible drupaceous fruit, a subspecies of the plum tree.
What is the difference between damsons and plums?
Let's start with the basics: first and foremost, plums tend to be predominantly round, whereas damsons are characterised by an oblong-oval shape . But an even more obvious differentiating feature is that plums have a pronounced, grooved longitudinal seam, whereas the same seam on damsons is far more difficult to see.
What are the benefits of damson plums?
The most important health benefits of damson plums include their ability to improve the digestive system, lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, strengthen bones, increase energy, optimize sleeping patterns, decrease your risk of certain types of cancer, and boost the immune system.
Who introduced damsons to America?
America was introduced to damsons by the Enlish settlers belonging to the era of American Revolution.
Where did the name Damson come from?
The history of damsons traces its origin to the regions of Damascus and Syria. In fact the name ‘damson’ has been inspired from the Latin word ‘prunum damascenum’ meaning ‘plum of Damascus’. Over the years, the Romans brought damsons to England and hence introduced the delicious fruit to the country.
What does a shropshire prune damson taste like?
The Shropshire Prune Damson tastes great after cooking. This small purple colored fruit has an astringent flavor. The taste of Shropshire Prune damsons is bound to linger in your mind, once subjected to your taste buds.
What color is Damson Merryweather plum?
Damson merryweather plums are extensively used for culinary purposes. This small plum is recognized by the blue-black color of its outer skin. Its flesh has a contrast yellow color. It is not necessary to subject the fruit tree to regular pruning. This fruit grows best in fertile soil.
What is the color of Damson plums?
This variety appears to have a rich blue-black color. The Farleigh tree is a very tough tree that can even withstand extreme cold and wet climates unlike other orchard fruit trees. Damson Farleigh plums are significant for their culinary usage. It has a very strong and sweet flavor.
How long does it take to make damson slumps?
The smart and simple recipe can be prepared in less than twenty minutes. Go ahead and devour the tongue tickling damson slumps!
How tall is a damson tree?
These trees when fully grown attain a height that is about 20 feet. The tree has pretty white damson blossoms that bloom in April and later yield into purple plums.
What is a wild damson?
Wild damsons (the ones in the bowl) are the size of a small olive and have the same elongated shape. The dark bluish skins have the same greyish tinge of a sloe or dark plum. The flesh is a yellow orange and the stone small.
What is the difference between damsons and plums?
Let's start with the basics: first and foremost, plums tend to be predominantly round, whereas damsons are characterised by an oblong-oval shape . But an even more obvious differentiating feature is that plums have a pronounced, grooved longitudinal seam, whereas the same seam on damsons is far more difficult to see.
What do damson plums look like?
Furthermore, what do ripe damsons look like? Damson Plums - the quandry of 'ready' They are very small - just the size of marbles, lovely purplish-blue color, have a powdery blush, firm, and not soft like I would expect ripe plums to be.
Is a damson a purple or blue?
Although the majority of damson varieties are blue-black or purple in colour, there are at least two now-rare forms of "white damson", both having green or yellow-green skin.
Overview
Cultivars
Several cultivars have been selected, and some are found in Great Britain, Ireland and the United States. There are still relatively few varieties of damson, with The Garden recording no more than "eight or nine varieties" in existence at the end of the 19th century; some are self-fertile and can reproduce from seed as well as by grafting. The cultivars 'Farleigh Damson' and 'Prune Damson' have gained the Royal …
History
The name damson comes from Middle English damascene, damesene, damasin, damsin, and ultimately from the Latin (prunum) damascenum, "plum of Damascus". One commonly stated theory is that damsons were first cultivated in antiquity in the area around the ancient city of Damascus, capital of modern-day Syria, and were introduced into England by the Romans. The historical link …
Characteristics
The main characteristic of the damson is its distinctive rich flavour; unlike other plums it is both high in sugars and highly astringent. The fruit of the damson can also be identified by its shape, which is usually ovoid and slightly pointed at one end, or pyriform; its smooth-textured yellow-green flesh; and its skin, which ranges from dark blue to indigo to near-black depending on the variety (other typ…
White damson
Although the majority of damson varieties are blue-black or purple in colour, there are at least two now-rare forms of "white damson", both having green or yellow-green skin. The National Fruit Collection has accessions of the "White Damson (Sergeant)" and the larger "White Damson (Taylor)", both of which may first have been mentioned in the 1620s.
To confuse matters, the White Bullace was in the past sold in London markets under the name of "…
Uses
The skin of the damson can have a very tart flavour, particularly when unripe (the term "damson" is often used to describe red wines with rich yet acidic plummy flavours). The fruit is therefore most often used for cooking, and is commercially grown for preparation in jam and other fruit preserves. Some varieties of damson, however, such as "Merryweather", are sweet enough to ea…
External links
• Media related to Prunus domestica subsp. insititia at Wikimedia Commons