Mirabelle plum

{{About|the plum|the given name|Mirabelle (name)|other uses|Mirabel (disambiguation)}}

{{Infraspeciesbox

|image = Prunus insititia 01.jpg

|image_caption = Blossom of Mirabelle plum in detail

|parent = Prunus sect. Prunus

|genus = Prunus

|species = domestica

|subspecies = syriaca

|authority = (Borkh.) Janch. ex Mansf.

}}

Mirabelle plum (Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca) is a cultivar group of plum trees of the genus Prunus. It is believed that the plum was cultivated from a wild fruit grown in Anatolia.

Description

The mirabelle is identified by its small, oval shape, smooth-textured flesh, and especially by its red,{{Cite book |last=Titchmarsh |first=Alan |title=The Kitchen Gardener |date=2008 |publisher=BBC Books |page=247}} or dark yellow colour which becomes flecked in appearance. They are known for being sweet and full of flavour. The fruit is primarily used in fruit preserves and dessert pies, and its juice is commonly fermented for wine or distilled into plum brandy. Some 90% of mirabelle plums grown commercially are made into either jam (70%) or eau de vie (20%).{{cn|date=August 2024}}

The mirabelle reaches maturity and is harvested from July to mid-September in the Northern Hemisphere. The traditional method of shaking the trees is now mechanized, but the principle remains the same: the ripe fruits are shaken loose and collected in a net under the tree.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

{{gallery|mode=packed

|Mirabellen.jpg|Mirabelle plums

|970718-DriedGoldenPlum-IMG 7527-2.jpg|Dried Mirabelle plums

}}

Cultivars

The following cultivars are considered part of the Mirabelle cultivar group:{{cn|date=August 2024}}

Mirabelle de Lorraine

The mirabelle is a speciality of the French region of Lorraine, which has an ideal climate and soil composition for the cultivation of this fruit. This region produces 15,000 tons of mirabelle plums annually, which constitutes 80% of global commercial production.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

There are two main cultivars grown for fruit production, derived from cherry plums grown in Nancy and Metz. The Metz type is smaller, less hard, and less sweet, and has no small red spots on the skin. It is very good for jam, while the Nancy type is better as fresh fruit as it is sweeter.{{Cite web |last=Pierre |date=2022-08-23 |title=Mirabelle of Lorraine: A Delicious Golden Plum |url=https://frenchmoments.eu/mirabelle-of-lorraine/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=French Moments |language=en-US}}

Since 1996 the mirabelle de Lorraine has been recognized and promoted by the EU as a high-quality regional product, with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). This label guarantees a minimum fruit size (22 mm) and sugar content, and can only be used in a specific geographical zone of production.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

The city of Metz dedicates two weeks to the Mirabelle plum during the popular Mirabelle Festival held in August. During the festival, in addition to open markets selling fresh prunes, mirabelle tarts, and mirabelle liquor, there is live music, fireworks, parties, art exhibits, a parade with floral floats and competition, and the crowning of the Mirabelle Queen and a gala of celebration.{{Cite web |title=Mirabelle season in Lorraine |url=https://www.tourism-lorraine.com/inspiration/mirabelle-season-in-lorraine/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Lorraine Tourisme |language=en-US}}

Appellation protection

Import of mirabelles to the United States is generally restricted.{{Cite magazine |last=Dean |first=Sam |date=2013-03-12 |title=11 Weird Food Bans, from Blood to Bottled Water |url=https://www.bonappetit.com/trends/article/11-weird-food-bans-from-blood-to-bottled-water |access-date=2022-07-22 |magazine=Bon Appetit}}

References

European Garden Flora; vol. IV; 1995.