Prunus domestica Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt - Organic Common plum

The Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt Plum Tree is a productive, self-fertile variety that pollinates well, as its flowers are self-pollinating. It produces a large, elongated oval fruit with smooth and chalky, pale yellow to off-white skin. Its yellowish flesh is firm, slightly crisp, sweet and delicately acidic. The stone easily detaches from the pulp. The plum is enjoyable to eat fresh from the tree. When cooked, it lends itself well to many sweet or savoury recipes. It is a fruit with exceptional nutritional qualities. This plum tree is sensitive to spring frosts and prefers a warm, sunny and sheltered exposure. It thrives in ordinary, well-draining, moist, deep and rich soil, not too chalky and without stagnant moisture.

Prunus domestica (Common Plum) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, just like the apricot tree, almond tree and peach tree. It is native to Syria, where it sometimes grows up to 1000 metres (3281 feet) in altitude. The word "quetsche" comes from the German name "Zwetsche", which is itself derived from the Greek "damaskênon", meaning "Damascus plum". Traditionally grown in France, Germany and Austria, the quetsche finds its ideal environment in Alsace, France. The Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt variety has somewhat unknown origins. Some believe it was discovered, before 1882, in Létricourt, a locality in Meurthe-et-Moselle, by Mr. Alix (an arborist in Nancy).

The Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt Plum Tree forms a fruit tree with a fairly rounded framework that can reach a final height of about 4 to 6 metres (13 to 20 feet), producing numerous branches grouped in spreading crowns. Its habit is well suited to free forms on high, half or low stems. Its deciduous foliage is composed of dark green, obovate, 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) long leaves with crenate and toothed edges, slightly hairy underneath. Towards the end of March or beginning of April, the white, 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1in) diameter, solitarily flowers appear, before the leaves, on the previous year's branches. The flowering is sensitive to spring frosts, but it is so abundant that frost rarely affects the harvest. It has a remarkably decorative blossom in spring, particularly nectar-rich. It is a hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to -20°C. This variety is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to bear fruit, but the presence of another variety of plum tree nearby will increase production.

The Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt Plum Tree is a fertile, quick fruiting variety. The fruit harvest begins around the end of August and extends until mid-September. Since plums are quite fragile, they should be carefully harvested with a picking pole or manually using a ladder. On average, a plum tree produces between 30 and 60 kilograms of fruit per year. The fruits can be consumed immediately after harvest. They are large, elongated plums, about 4 to 5 cm (2in) long and 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. Delicious plums can be eaten fresh from the tree, enjoyed raw or mixed in fruit salads, or used in desserts. They are also excellent in the making of clafoutis, cakes, crumbles or pies, and as an accompaniment to savoury dishes with white meats (turkey, chicken, veal, etc.) or tagines. They are also perfect for making jams, compotes, juices, or preserved in syrup. Not to forget the famous plum brandy, to be consumed in moderation.

The plum is a light and balancing fruit. It is low in calories and rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with a significant iron content. Vitamins C, B, E, and K, phenolic antioxidants, and fibre make the plum a healthy, invigorating, energising, and rehydrating choice. The fruits can only be stored for a few days at room temperature. However, they can be frozen once washed, dried and pitted, or preserved in jams or syrup.

In the Plum Tree - Mirabelle category, the Quetsche Blanche de Létricourt Plum Tree is a highly productive and fertile variety, recognised and appreciated for the taste quality of its fruits. Under good conditions, it is easy to grow, generous in fruit production, and resistant to diseases. Thanks to its fruits, the plum tree is very popular in the garden, bringing pleasure to both young and old. With a wide range of varieties, it is easy to find the one that best suits your tastes.