Growing Damson Fruit

The plum family includes the diminutive damson fruit, which is a deep purple fruit. Jams, jellies, and preserves are just a few of the many culinary uses for this fruit, which is famous for its sour taste. Smaller and more oval in shape than regular plums, damson plums are known for their unique astringent flavor.
The strong flavor that these fruits acquire when cooked makes them a popular ingredient in European cuisine. You can enjoy damson plums straight from the tree, but their natural sourness is best tempered by cooking or processing. Fruit liqueurs, such as damson gin, also make use of them.
In the spring, deciduous damson trees display clusters of tiny white flowers, and in the late summer or early fall, the trees bear tiny dark purple fruits. In many cases, a waxy blossom that is bluish-white in color covers the fruit's skin.
As a distinctive and delicious plum, damson fruit is highly prized for its adaptability to both sweet and savory recipes.