This year, the PGI Mirabelles de Lorraine will arrive earlier than last year on the market, to the delight of those who love this small plum with a strong identity. Producers are very confident and positive about this year’s campaign, which is about to start. The first fruits will be picked at optimal maturity on August 3rd and they will be on the market from the 6th of August.
No less than 5,000 tons of Mirabelle plums are expected this year. They will be harvested from 400,000 trees on 200 farms. This year’s harvest should be slightly bigger than last year, thanks to excellent weather conditions in the orchards. The quality looks promising as well. “It is an excellent year for our Mirabelle plums, which we have taken such meticulous care of throughout the year. The fruits have a nice coloration and they are both soft and sweet. The calibers are large and firm which will help the fruit keep longer,” explains Cécile Blanpied, producer of Mirabelles de Lorraine.
The Mirabelle de Lorraine honored by pastry chef Jean-François Feuillette
In order to put this small stone fruit in the spotlight, the PGI Mirabelles de Lorraine chose Jean-François Feuillette to promote the plum throughout France this year. Very attached to his native region, the pastry chef proudly accepted this role of ambassador. The chef, who is always on the lookout for the best in the culinary field, is truly passionate about this fruit that carries so many gourmet memories.
For the occasion, Jean-François Feuillette has shared the recipe of a signature pie, the Tartelette Feuillette aux Mirabelles de Lorraine, which will be available in his 50 bakeries in France from the 10th of August until the end of September.
A highly anticipated harvest
A true emblem and flag-bearer of the region, this PGI-labeled fruit is endowed with a distinction that guarantees a controlled production following very strict specifications. The Mirabelle plum orchards are an integral part of the hilly landscape of the Lorraine region where the climate and combination of hot (during the day) and cold temperatures (at night) allow the Mirabelles de Lorraine to obtain a sweet fragrance and incomparable texture. The orchards rest on a clay soil, specific to the region, which retains water underground and allows the Mirabelle trees to draw the necessary water. The 4 to 6 weeks of harvest, which are the result of meticulous work, are therefore crucial for the producers of Lorraine.
The producers hire seasonal workers to help out with the harvest of this small Lorraine fruit. It is a real moment of sharing for people who are passionate about the fruit and respectful of the orchards. More than 1,000 positions are available to lend a hand to the 200 producers of the association.
For more information:
Cassandra Gomes
Versa RP
Phone: +33 (0)1 39 53 00 02
cassandra@versa-rp.fr