Damson

The Good Food Glossary

Pronounce it: dam-sun

A small fruit with vibrant dark blue skin and a strong, sour flavour, damsons are similar to plums and a member of the rose family. They have a large stone and are often juicy, but tend not be eaten raw due to the tartness of the flesh.

Availibility

An autumn fruit, damsons are at their best in September.

Choose the best

Look for juicy fruits with firm flesh.

Prepare it

Wash thoroughly. To make jam or a damson fool, you may need to stone the fruits.

Store it

Store in the same way as plums. Refrigerate and use within a couple of days.

Cook it

Damson are more suitable for cooking than eating raw and are especially good for jams and jellies. They are also often used in desserts such as pies, tarts, fools and slumps. They can also be used in savoury dishes such as lamb or pork casseroles.