Prunus domestica Quetsche d'Alsace - Common plum

The 'Quetsche d'Alsace' Plum is a self-fertile variety specific to the Alsace and Lorraine regions. Very productive and very robust, this variety produces elongated fruits, ripening in early September. The skin is thin, reddish-purple, covered with a whitish wax called bloom. The flesh is greenish-yellow, firm, not very juicy, and slightly acidic, with the characteristic aroma of quetsches. While they can be consumed fresh, they will be even better when dried. They keep very well after harvesting.

The word 'Quetsche' means Damson Plum in Alsatian. Quetsche plums come from Syria, which has supplied many varieties since the Middle Ages. The 'Quetsche d'Alsace' variety has been cultivated for a long time.

This fruit tree naturally reaches a height of up to 6m (20ft) at maturity. The slender and bushy silhouette conferred by its upright-bushy habit is appreciated in the garden. It is not very demanding regarding soil type, apart from the absence of limestone.
Its leaves are oval, almost oblong, crenate-dentate, and slightly downy.
Flowering occurs in April, which allows it to escape spring frosts. It is not very spread out. The tree is then covered entirely with white flowers that appear on the previous year's branches. They are self-fertile.
The fruits, the quetsches, famous in eastern France, ripen in early September.

The plums are eaten raw at the base of the tree, in fruit salads, in desserts and pastries, and as accompaniments to meats and dishes. They are transformed into jams, fruits in syrup, compotes... They can also be used to make eau-de-vie. You can also dry them in the sun during the summer, pitted and hung in a garland on a thread or in the oven.