Damson and Plum Jam. Both seem to have vanished

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flashfiction

18-04-2016

Originally Posted by burton07:
“When my kids were little, I regularly cooked crumbles or pies with tinned plums.”

IDK why I have never seen them as have seen unlikelier tins such as strawberries.

PS at this time of year you can probably still buy a bare-root plum tree for a fiver at places like Aldi and those bargain type shops ( Quality/Home Bargains or whatever)
Did so, 4 years ago, masses of blossom now so hoping for a lot of fruit this year.

Glawster2002

19-04-2016

Originally Posted by maddie_brundret:
“Yes I am.

I did try making jam just once and that was at school and was a complete disaster, Miss Wiliiams our teacher said it had not enough pectin in it.
It was strawberry jam and very runny.”

Damsons are full of pectin, so you don't need to add any, that is why damson jam and jelly is so easy to make.

Glawster2002

19-04-2016

Originally Posted by flashfiction:
“Sounds delish alternative and damsons are a "superfood" too.
BIB That makes sense - winter weather hasn't been great for tree fruit. You are lucky - none near me now, would have to go 40 miles? It's too impractical to trek around scouring, even on a dog walk. (Planted a damson tree in garden here, not a single fruit. I'm back on the bilberry kick - now that is slow-going! )”

We found them by accident. There is a lane to the neighbouring village that is rarely walked, 99.99% of people drive along it, we were walking along it one September and I spotted them, I knew straight away what they were.

Damsons and plums, the plum is essentially a domesticated variety of damson, are cyclical in nature. A good year, as last year was, is very often followed by a poorer year.

Originally Posted by flashfiction:
“The OP is in a great place - S. Cheshire as good as Lyth Valley Cumbria for damsons, she'll probably find some escapee plums too. ( We get wild plums here - not sweet enough. Learnt my lesson - if you're not sure of the fruit, make a small batch )

Never made the damson gin - tried the sloe and made a bad job of it ( not enough sugar)
Delia has a great spicy damson chutney too I can vouch for - brill with sausages, cheese etc.

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/t...n-chutney.html”

I'll dig out the Damson recipe we've found to work. I find that most online sloe gin recipes have too much sugar anyway, but just add more sugar if you think it needs it. It is easier to add it than take it away!!

Originally Posted by bahbah:
“Tinned plums online at waitrose & Tesco. (John west and own brand)”

I was in Waitrose on Sunday and they definitely sell tinned plums. I'd not seen your update and we were looking for something else. I only remember it because I was surprised to see them.

stud u like

19-04-2016

Originally Posted by burton07:
“Last year I made sloe gin, blackberry whisky and Damson vodka. All lovely.

What I want to know is where can I buy tinned plums? Tesco never have them in.”

I would complain. The Tesco website says they do them.

Sainsburys

ASDA

Waitrose.

stud u like

19-04-2016

Originally Posted by maddie_brundret:
“My husband fancied some damson or plum jam about 6 weeks ago and I have looked all over the place for either but I have had no luck .
All I can see are, blackcurrant, apricot, gooseberry, bramble, strawberry, raspberry, lemoncurd and blueberry.
I have looked in Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Asda and Morrisons as well as smaller local shops.
Any help would be excellent.

Thank You. ”

Waitrose do plum and damson jam

I bought mine from County Fare in Folkestone.

maddie_brundret

19-04-2016

Originally Posted by stud u like:
“Waitrose do plum and damson jam

I bought mine from County Fare in Folkestone.”

Thank for that.

I have tried Waitrose at Sandbach, it is only quite small compaired to some and they don't stock either damson or plum jam.
I have seen damson jam on their web site but not in the store.

maddie_brundret

22-04-2016

I use the local farm shop which is about one mile away from where I live and looking round what did I see Mrs Darlingtons Damson Jam and her Plum Jam I couldn't believe my eyes, there on my door step.Both cost£2.29 so I just bought the Damson.
Mrs Darlingtons jams etc are made in Crewe, Cheshire which is not a million miles from where I was born.

hobbes

27-04-2016

I live in Cheshire too- although towards Manchester- and we pick pounds of wild damsons every year. The jam is wonderful. We make cordial too which makes wonderful damson and Prosecco cocktails and gin which is divine. Its a very lovely feeling having a cupboard full of glossy dark jam.

maddie_brundret

30-04-2016

Just tried some of the damson jam on a crust with no butter just jam, I detest butter or margarine, anything dairy to be truthful apart from the occasional cherry yogurt.
The crust was lovely really enjoyed it could really taste the damson as it was on it's own not disguised by any butter.

alan29

30-04-2016

We buy damsons when we see them in greengrocers and jam them.

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