Damson

Damson
Damson Plum
Ripe damsons
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Prunus
Section: Prunus
Species: P. domestica
Subspecies: P. domestica subsp. insititia
Trinomial name
Prunus domestica subsp. insititia
(L.) C.K.Schneid.

The damson or damson plum (Prunus domestica subsp. insititia, or sometimes Prunus insititia)[1] is an edible drupaceous fruit, a subspecies of the plum tree. Sometimes called the Damask plum, damsons are commonly used in the preparation of jams and jellies. The plum spirit slivovitz is made from fermented damson fruit.

The term "damson" is often used to describe red wines with rich yet acidic plummy flavors.

Contents

History

The name damson derives from the Latin prunum damascenum, "plum of Damascus". Damsons were first cultivated in antiquity in the area around the ancient city of Damascus, capital of modern-day Syria, and were introduced into England by the Romans. Remnants of damsons are often found during archaeological digs of ancient Roman camps across England, and ancient writings describe the use of damson skins in the manufacture of purple dye. Prugne damaschine figure in the long list of comestibles enjoyed by the Milanese given by Bonvesin de la Riva in his Marvels of Milan (1288).[2]

The damson was introduced into the American colonies by English settlers before the American Revolution and are regarded as thriving better in the eastern United States than other European plum varieties.[citation needed]

Damson flowers

Characteristics

The damson (fruit) is identified by its oval shape (though slightly pointed at one end), smooth-textured yellow-green flesh, and skin from dark blue to indigo. It is similar to the bullace, also classified as Prunus domestica,[1] which is a smaller, round plum with purple (or yellow) skin. Other types of Prunus domestica are also similar, and can have purple (or yellow or red) skin.[3]

The tree blossoms with small, white flowers in early April in the Northern hemisphere and fruit is harvested in late August or early September.

Uses

The skin of the damson can be heavily acidic, rendering the fruit unpalatable to some for eating out of hand. Because of this acidic, tart flavour, damsons are commercially grown for preparation in jellies and jams. A range of varieties of damson are available, with some such as 'Merryweather' and 'President Plum' being more appropriate for eating when ripe straight from the tree while varieties such as 'Farleigh' benefit from cooking. They can also be pickled and thus preserved at home.

Damson gin is made like sloe gin, although less sugar is necessary as the damsons are sweeter than sloes. Damsons are used to make slivovitz, a distilled plum spirit made in Slavic countries. Damson wine can also be produced.

References

  1. ^ a b M. H. Porcher "Sorting Prunus names, in "Multilingual multiscript plant names database, University of Melbourne
  2. ^ Noted by John Dickie, in his Delizia! The epic history of Italians and their food. New York, 2008; p. 37.
  3. ^ D. G. Hessayon 1995 The fruit expert ISBN 0903505312

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Damson — Dam son (d[a^]m z n), n. [OE. damasin the Damascus plum, fr. L. Damascenus. See {Damascene}.] A small oval plum of a blue color, the fruit of a variety of the {Prunus domestica}; called also {damask plum}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • damson — ► NOUN ▪ a small purple black plum like fruit. ORIGIN from Latin damascenum prunum plum of Damascus …   English terms dictionary

  • damson — [dam′zən, dam′sən] n. [ME damasin < OFr damascene, plum of Damascus < L Damascenus, lit., of Damascus] 1. a variety of small, purple plum; bullace 2. the prunus tree (Prunus domestica var. insititia) on which it grows …   English World dictionary

  • damson — /dam zeuhn, seuhn/, n. 1. Also called damson plum. the small, dark blue or purple fruit of a plum, Prunus insititia, of the rose family, introduced into Europe from Asia Minor. 2. a medium to dark violet. adj. 3. of the color damson. [1350 1400;… …   Universalium

  • damson — UK [ˈdæmz(ə)n] / US noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms damson : singular damson plural damsons a soft round fruit with purple skin, like a small plum damson jam …   English dictionary

  • damson — n. & adj. n. 1 (in full damson plum) a a small dark purple plumlike fruit. b the small deciduous tree, Prunus institia, bearing this. 2 a dark purple colour. adj. damson coloured. Phrases and idioms: damson cheese a solid preserve of damsons and… …   Useful english dictionary

  • damson — Damascene Dam as*cene (d[a^]m as*s[=e]n), n. A kind of plum, now called {damson}. See {Damson}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • damson — Damask Dam ask, a. 1. Pertaining to, or originating at, the city of Damascus; resembling the products or manufactures of Damascus. [1913 Webster] 2. Having the color of the damask rose. [1913 Webster] But let concealment, like a worm i the bud,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • damson — [[t]dæ̱mz(ə)n[/t]] damsons N COUNT A damson is a small, sour, purple plum …   English dictionary

  • damson — [ damz(ə)n] noun 1》 a small purple black plum like fruit. 2》 (also damson tree) the small tree which bears damsons, probably derived from the bullace. [Prunus domestica subsp. insititia.] Origin ME damascene, from L. damascenum (prunum) (plum) of …   English new terms dictionary

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