First British plums at Waitrose
The first to market delivery of Herman plums were grown on Castle Fruit Farms in Newent, Gloucestershire, where they have been nurtured, hand-picked, and then hand-delivered to Great Malvern branch by growers Michael & Chrissie Bentley.
Adverse weather during spring has delayed the start of the English Plum season by approximately 3 weeks compared to previous years. The late season however has not affected the volume of English plums which will be harvested this year, and Waitrose plum orchards in Gloucestershire and Kent are heavily laden with fruit and a bumper crop is expected.
The varieties of English Plum sold in Waitrose change through the limited season and include Opal which are an early variety with red mottled skin and sweet flavour, Reeves Seedling with beautiful yellow flesh and a reddish purple finish, the traditional yellow/pink blushed Victoria plums available in August & September, before the summer season ends with the darker purple Marjorie Seedling variety. Late varieties of English plums have been planted by our growers in both Gloucester and Kent to extend the limited UK season.
English Plums will be available in Waitrose branches nationwide from 10th August.
For more information:
Steve Maxwell
Worldwide Fruit
Tel: +44 1775 717000
www.worldwidefruit.co.uk