Mirabelle Plums
Mirabelle plums…
- ...support healthy skin and vision.Mirabelle pears are a rich source of vitamin A, a powerful vitamin which helps keep skin healthy and vision strong.
- ...are good for the nervous system.Mirabelle plums score points with a high content of various B vitamins, which are beneficial for the nervous system. B vitamins also support a healthy metabolism.
- ...are easily digestible.Ripe mirabelle plums contain hardly any acid and are very sweet, making them easy on even sensitive stomachs.
- ...are a good source of fiber.Mirabelle pears contain the dietary fiber pectin, which stimulates digestion and helps the body remove waste and toxins.
- ...help protect the cells.Mirabelle plums contain antioxidants, powerful substances which surround the body’s cells like a protective coat, helping protect them against free radical damage.
- ...are particularly sweet.Mirabelle plums are a great natural dessert as they’re particularly sweet, with a higher level of fructose than other plums.
- ...aren't for everyone.Due to their higher level of fruit sugars, mirabelle plums shouldn’t be consumed by people with fructose intolerances.
What You Should Know About Mirabelle Plums
Mirabelle plums’ beautiful orange hue and sweet flavor has made them a beloved delicacy in France for at least 600 years. They’re the smallest of the more than 2,000 plum varieties found worldwide, weighing only about 10 g each. They’re characterized by their spherical shape and the golden color. They’re also particularly juicy, making them popular for compotes, jams, cake toppings and as a base for brandy, a type of French liquor.
Origins
Mirabelle plums originate from western Asia.
Season
Mirabelle plums have a relatively short season, lasting from July to mid-September at the latest.
Flavor
Ripe mirabelle plums are intensely sweet and have a particularly plum-y aroma.
Find all our recipes with mirabelle plums here.
How Healthy Are Mirabelle Plums?
Mirabelle plums are a good source of a variety of nutrients, including vitamin A, which helps support healthy skin and vision, vitamin C for the immune system, and various B vitamins, which support everything from brain health to heightened energy levels. They’re also a rich source of antioxidants, powerful substances which protect the body’s cells against damage caused by free radicals, which can ultimately lead to everything from premature aging to certain types of cancer. They’re also a good source of the dietary fiber pectin, which stimulates digestion. Because they contain little acid, mirabelle plums are also very easy on the stomach, and generally tolerated by those with sensitive stomachs.
Mirabelle plums’ owe their characteristic sweetness to their elevated levels of fructose, or fruit sugars. Anyone with fructose intolerances should therefore eat mirabelle plums sparingly if at all.
| MIRABELLE PEARS NUTRITIONAL INFO (100 g) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 67 |
| Protein | 0.7 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
Shopping and Cooking Tips
Purchasing
Fresh mirabelles should be plump, with golden orange skin that’s firm to the touch, and few discolorations or nicks to the skin.
Storage
Mirabelle plums are very sensitive and spoil quickly. If you’re not going to eat your mirabelles immediately, it’s best to buy them when they’re a little underripe and keep them in the refrigerator, where they will stay good for 2-3 days.
Mirabelles also store well-- simply wash them, put them in air-tight bags either whole or de-pitted, and seal them securely. Stored this way mirabelles will stay good in the freezer for up to a year. Simply allow them to dethaw before eating.
Preparation
Preparing mirabelles is easy-- simply wash them, pay them dry, cut them in half and twist out the pit before eating or cooking with them.
What to Make With Mirabelle Plums
Mirabelle plums’ sweet flavor means they’re delicious eaten plain and raw, especially as a natural, low-calorie alternative for dessert. Their unique flavor has also made mirabelles a favorite as a base for compotes, juices, jams and even brandy, a distilled wine from France.
They also make a delicious and beautiful base for desserts like cakes or tarts, or even in fruit salads. Mirabelle plums can even be used in savory dishes, especially paired with red or game meats like venison or pork.
