Pluums Aren’t Just Plums
This stone fruit, which originated in Asia Minor and which was brought to Europe by the Romans in 150 BCE, is as appetizing as it is good for digestion. It can be found in about 2,000 varieties, particularly around the Mediterranean and in Central Europe. The most important are the cherrysized, orange mirabelle plum, the commonly found Prunus domestica, the yellow-green, firm greengage, and the sweet, juicy damson. All four varieties are suited to sweet cooking, however the damson is the classic plum for sweet Austrian cooking.