Prunus domestica Reine Claude Diaphane - Common plum

Prunus domestica Reine Claude Diaphane is an old, vigorous, hardy variety, with abundant harvests. It produces a large, ovoid, slightly flattened fruit, with a thin, yellow-orange skin, washed with pink. Its translucent yellow flesh is tender, juicy, melting, pleasantly sweet and perfumed with a hint of honey. The stone easily separates from the pulp. Harvesting takes place from mid-August and the fruits are consumed as they ripen. It is a pleasant fruit to eat fresh, cooked in many sweet recipes or preserved. It adapts well to ordinary, filtering, fresh, deep and rich soil, but not too chalky and without stagnant moisture. It is a partially self-fertile variety that requires the presence of other varieties of plum trees nearby to increase the number of fruits.

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 Reine Claude Diaphane variety comes from a seedling of the Reine Claude Dorée Plum, selected around 1845 in France.

The Reine Claude Diaphane plum tree is a fairly rounded tree that can reach a final height of about 6 to 7 metres (20 to 23 feet), producing numerous branches grouped in spread-out crowns. Its habit is well suited for free forms on high, half or low stems. Its deciduous foliage is composed of obovate, 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, crenate and toothed leaves which are slightly hairy underneath and dark green. Towards the end of March or the beginning of April, white solitary flowers, 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter, appear before the leaves, on the previous year's branches. The blossom is sensitive to spring frosts, but it is so abundant that frost rarely compromises the harvest. It is a remarkably decorative spring blossom, particularly attractive to bees and butterflies. It is hardy to -20°C (-4°F). This Plum tree is said to be self-sterile or self-incompatible, the flowers cannot fertilise themselves. The presence of other varieties of plum trees, nearby, whose flowering occurs at the same time is necessary. For example, the varieties Prune d'Ente, Reine-claude d'Althan, Reine-claude d'Oullins, Quetsche d'Alsace, Quetsche d'Italie, Mirabelle de Metz, Mirabelle de Nancy, Victoria are suitable for cross-pollination, thus increasing fruit production.

The Reine Claude Diaphane plum tree is a fertile variety, with a quick fruit set. The fruits are harvested from mid-August to mid-September as they ripen. Plums are quite fragile, they must be carefully harvested with a picking pole or manually with a ladder. An average plum tree produces between 35 and 50 kilograms of fruit per year.  The fruits are eaten as soon as they are harvested. They are large, round plums, about 4 to 5 cm (2in) in diameter, with thin and delicate, yellow-orange skin, marbled with pink on the side exposed to the sun. The delicious plums are eaten fresh, as soon as they are picked, raw or mixed in a fruit salad, or as a dessert. They are also perfect for making clafoutis, cakes, crumbles, or pies and as an accompaniment to savoury dishes with white meats (turkey, chicken, veal, etc.) or tagines. They are good for making jams, compotes, juices, or preserved in syrup. Not to mention the famous plum brandy, to be consumed in moderation.

Plums are a light and balancing fruit. They are low in calories and rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with a significant contribution of iron. Their content of vitamins C, B, E, and K, phenolic antioxidants, and fibres make plums a healthy, invigorating, energising, and hydrating 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 Mirabelle category, Prunus domestica Reine Claude Diaphane is a highly productive and fertile variety, known for the excellent taste of its fruits. Under favourable conditions, it is easy to grow, generous and disease-resistant. The plum tree is extremely popular in gardens, thanks to its fruits. With a wide range of varieties, it is easy to find one that suits.