Fit for a queen

Cultivated in the royal gardens of Blois Castle, the plum trees brought back by Belon in 1549 gave birth to fruit that was golden and delicious. Their very special flavour was greatly appreciated and very soon, they were dedicated to Claude "the Good Queen", the late wife of François 1st and mother of the reigning king, Henri II. Christened "Queen Claude's plums", they definitively took on the name of "Reine Claude" in 1690.

How to choose them

Prefer reine-claude plums that still have their stalk so that they keep for longer. The skin should be supple and covered in a waxy bloom, even coloured with hints of gold or pink and each fruit should be at least grade size 35 mm. Reject any fruits with a marbled skin. Enjoy reine-claude plums as they are.

How to store correctly

2 to 3 days in a fruit bowl. 6 to 10 days in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator (take them out an hour before eating). Keep them for several months by freezing them split in two with the stones removed, or by drying them in a half opened oven (for 1hr thermostat 2), or by making them into jam or fruit in syrup.