Mirabelle plum - Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca

The first reliable records of the mirabelle plum date back to the 15th century. It appears that this fruit originated in Asia Minor or the East—or, according to other sources, in China—and arrived in Grand in the Vosges and in Jouy-aux-Arches in the Moselle.

It is said that René “the Good,” Duke of Anjou and Lorraine, introduced it to France in the 13th century by cultivating it in Mirabeau and Mirabel before it took root in Lorraine.

In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici and her son Charles IX were presented with sugar-candied mirabelles during their travels in Lorraine.

In 1892, an epidemic decimated the vineyards of Lorraine, paving the way for the expansion of mirabelle plum orchards in the early 20th century. After World War I, between 1920 and 1930, there was a boom in the planting of mirabelle plum trees to replace all the vineyards that had been affected by the epidemic—orchards thus covered more than 10,000 hectares by 1935. This massive planting, in addition to the fruit’s flavor, led to an economic rise in the value of the mirabelle in the 1970s.

In 1974, a guild dedicated to the Lorraine mirabelle was founded to protect and promote the regional variety.

There are two main varieties:

The Nancy mirabelle

It has an orange-yellow skin that turns slightly red in the sun, with very juicy, sweet, very pale-colored flesh; it is the largest of the mirabelle plums.

It is mainly found on market stalls in mid-August.

The Metz mirabelle

Smaller than the Nancy variety, it has thin, orange-yellow skin. It is also available around mid-August.

Not only is the plum delicious and thirst-quenching, but it is also notable for its high nutritional density: its high water content (82.5%) is rich in minerals and trace elements, particularly potassium, iron, and magnesium. It also provides numerous vitamins, especially those of the B complex. The plum thus plays a valuable role in helping the body meet its needs for these nutrients.

Plums promote kidney function thanks to their high water content and high potassium-to-sodium ratio. But they are best known for promoting healthy bowel function. There are several reasons for this: first and foremost, their high fiber content. This fiber comes in various forms, including cellulose and hemicelluloses, which speed up the passage of food through the intestines; and pectin, which retains water and helps regulate bowel movements. Another beneficial factor is the relatively high concentration of sorbitol. This substance stimulates gallbladder function and, as a result, helps combat sluggish bowel movements. Finally, plums contain diphenylisatin, a compound from the indole family. Its mild laxative effects enhance the plum’s effectiveness in this area!

Thanks to their phenolic compounds, plums are believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as a beneficial impact on memory: When combined with a diet high in cholesterol, plums may help reduce the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. They may reduce cardiovascular risk factors by helping to prevent obesity and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and dyslipidemia.  According to a study, it may also help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It may also help reduce allergy symptoms. Finally, certain compounds in plums may counteract the effects of testosterone on the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Recipe: Mirabelle Plum Crumble

800g mirabelle plums

80g sugar

75g softened butter

80g flour

80g ground almonds

Preheat the oven to 210 °C.

Wash the mirabelle plums, cut them in half, and remove the pits. Place the mirabelle plums in a baking dish.

Using your fingers, mix the flour, ground almonds, sugar, and softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread the crumble mixture over the fruit in the baking dish.

Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, then enjoy!