Cate in NZ Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 We have a small fruit tree that we planted in the garden maybe 4 years ago, I think. I have always been convinced that it was an apple, I'm absolutely convinced that that was what we bought it as, but it's never fruited until now. This year though it has small (about the same size as a large olive) dark fruit, which are kind of matt with a whitish bloom. The description is pants, so here's a photo of them on the tree: They look like little plums, but are considerably smaller than a "normal" plum, and they have a greenish flesh inside, and taste rather bitter. So are they a small, as yet unripe plum..... or are they something else I'm not at all sure, and consequently have no idea what to do with them. Here's another pic which shows you the size compared to one of the plums off my plum tree. The leaves on both trees look similar btw. Has anyone out there got any ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 I may well be very off the mark - but for some reason quince has popped into my head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 Have just googled quince - it's not quince Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 Looks like some relative of the plum. Where did you get it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 just a thought could they be Sloes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 If it is a blackthorn it will have thorns. Could this be a type of damson, as they are small and tart and need processing in some way to be edible, I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 Thanks Claire, that seems more likely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Looks like Damson to me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 28, 2006 Author Share Posted August 28, 2006 Thanks all I'm pretty confident that they're not sloes..... at least if theyare heaven only knows what I put into last years sloe gin Damsons did cross my mind too, but I've never seen a damson in the flesh so to speak, so I had no idea at all really. I'm debating between them being damsons, or small, as yet very under-ripe plums. Whichever I way I don't know what to do with them. I have so many ripe plums on my plum tree that just working out what to do with them is taxing me. So what do I do with small damson type, under-ripe plum type things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 From memory once cooked damson are okay but you will need to sweeten them but make sure they are damsons before you try to eat them They are just a small wild plum so jams and pies etc would be the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Definately damsons... we have one at the bottom of the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 28, 2006 Author Share Posted August 28, 2006 Thanks Annie & Louise It's good to know what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Yes, def. damsons . We picked ours on Saturday. If you leave them a few more days they will become riper and should be edible uncooked, as a plum. When a few start dropping off the tree and are a nice purple colour should be fine. I make damson jam with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I make damson jam with mine. I can remember my mum doing this with her damsons when i was a kid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I've just made Damson jam... and damson gin (1/3 pricked damsons, 1/3 gin and 1/3 sherry, + 50g sugar) The damson jam was a nightmare due to hvaing to remove all the stones as it was boiling: Any smarter ideas on how to do this? I picked 6lbs of damsons, reckon there's another 20lbs at least on the tree.... I've already got 10 jars of jam..... 5 bottles of gin.... any more ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Just started a Damson thread.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I've already got 10 jars of jam..... 5 bottles of gin.... any more ideas? MORE GIN!!! One can never have enough gin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
