The Mirabelle Plum: A Golden Gem

The Mirabelle plum, the smallest variety of plum (about the size of a grape) and a gem of French cuisine, is highly prized in Lorraine (for which it was classified with IGP status in 1995) but also cultivated in the Rhône-Alpes region. In France, they use them to make liqueur and candies and bake them into tarts (my favorite). They are juicy and sweet and slightly tangy. The Mirabelle tarts are always delicious and stand out in the pastry case with their glistening gold color.

On a recent trip to the Rhône-Alpes region, I purchased them in a local market and had them as a treat while sitting in the grass at the base of Mont Blanc — a real treat you can easily eat in no time. They are easy to overlook in markets, so be on the lookout so you won’t miss them. Their season is short!