When the days slowly get shorter and the leaves change color, it's time for its grand entrance: The damson plum. With its deep blue skin and golden-yellow flesh, it's the star of every sheet cake. But did you know that the plum's little sister is also a real nutritional powerhouse?
We'll show you why you absolutely should grab some in late summer and how to process the purple fruits (without hours of manual pitting).
What you should know about damson plums
The damson plum ushers in a season of autumn delights. Its season is short and sweet: From August to September, the trees are full. Since it's native to Germany, you can find it regionally available during this time – fresh, affordable, and full of flavor. As it appears seasonally in autumn, it's the perfect transition from summer to the cozy season.
Nutrients & Effects
Sweet, yet light: With 46 kcal per 100g, the damson plum is a figure-friendly snack.
What it offers for your health:
- Cell protection: It's rich in antioxidants. The blue pigments (anthocyanins) protect your cells from stress and aging.
- Good for the eyes: It's rich in Vitamin A, which supports your eyesight and promotes healthy skin.
- Acid-base balance: Despite its fruit acid, the damson plum has an alkaline effect on metabolism.
Two things you need to consider
Processing has its pitfalls:
- Manual labor: The pit must be removed. This can be tedious for large quantities (but don't worry, we have tips!).
- Handle with care during transport: Damson plums are delicate. They bruise easily, so you should never stack them too high and process them quickly.
Preparation with your kitchen appliances
Cake is delicious, but your appliances can do so much more with damson plums:
- Blender: It's already on your list: It's good for smoothies! Unlike watery plums, the fleshy damson plum makes your smoothie wonderfully creamy and purple. Blend it (pitted!) with banana, cinnamon, and a little almond milk – it tastes like liquid cake.
- Air Fryer: A dessert dream! Halve the damson plums, remove the pit, and sprinkle them with some cinnamon sugar. Then put them in the air fryer. They caramelize wonderfully and taste great warm with vanilla ice cream or in your porridge in the morning.
- Slow Juicer / Juicer: Have you ever drunk fresh damson plum juice? If you remove the pit, the fruits can be easily juiced. The juice is thick and very sweet – perfect as a base for jellies or mixed with tart apple.
- Bread Maker: The classic is damson plum cake made from yeast dough. And who makes the perfect yeast dough? Your bread maker! Let it knead and rise while you prepare the fruit. Tip: Many machines also have a "jam" program – ideal for fresh damson plum butter (Powidl) without burning.
- Food Processor: When you're in a hurry: For a damson plum crumble, you can quickly mix the streusel (flour, butter, sugar, nuts) in the food processor while the fruits are already waiting in the baking dish.
Shopping & Storage
Look for the typical white "bloom" on the skin – this is a natural wax that protects the fruit from drying out. Wash it off only shortly before consumption. Storage: They keep for approx. 3–4 days in the refrigerator. Since they are delicate, it's best to store them in a shallow dish side-by-side, not stacked.
Conclusion
The damson plum is regional, alkaline, and packed with antioxidants. Although it's delicate and requires some work because the pit has to be removed, the taste makes up for everything. Whether plain, from the blender, or warm from the air fryer – make the most of the short time in August and September!
