2014 Empress plum season underway

The 2014 Empress plum season should be a bumper crop of high quality fruit. Empress plums are a seasonal niche fruit with a loyal following in several regions of North America. They taste great fresh out of hand, and are popular with bakers everywhere. Empress plums are only available for 4-6 weeks, and this year’s harvest is starting 5-7 days earlier than a typical year due to outstanding weather.

Overall production of Empress plums is expected to be up by 20-25% for the popular Blue Goose label that is marketed exclusively by the Grant J. Hunt Company. There will be two sizes available, 1-3/4” and 2”.

According to marketing director, Eric Patrick, “This is one of the cleanest crops of Empress plums I’ve ever seen. We are getting great size, and could potentially peak on the larger 2” plums. The Milton-Freewater region has had ideal growing weather for the past couple of weeks with virtually no wind, so the fruit is really clean looking. Consumers are in for a treat.”

Empress plums are large and egg-shaped with blueish/purple skin and a freestone pit. They are popular with the baking community because when they cook, the plums turn into a thicker, almost jam like consistency without turning into mush. Tarts, cakes and other baked goods then maintain their shape better and don’t turn into a soggy mess which can happen with other fruits and plums.

For more information:
Eric Patrick
Grant J. Hunt Company
Tel: +1 509-985-7768
Email: epatrick@gjhco.com
www.grantjhunt.com