Glee Plums 2003

You might not believe it but the plum has been part of Britain's heritage for throusands of years. Plums have been grown in the UK since as far back as the Roman ages. When the "Mary Rose" sank in 1545 t was found to be carrying over 5000 of them. The great thing about British plums is their unique taste; they are ultra juicy and packed with nutrients. And this year their arrival in the shops during August and September will be celebrated by the National Farmers Union naughty but nice campaign - "Everyone Loves British Plums". The British climate is one of the world's best for growing plums - they thrive on our mild and moist seasons. Last year, around 12,500 tonnes of plums were grown in the UK with over 80% picked in orchards in the South East and West Midlands - the UK's largest plum growing regions.

The main British varieties are Victoria, Opal and Marjorie Seedling. Victoria is the most commonly grown and popular plum variety in the UK. Opal is harvested first from Mid-July, Victoria's peak in mid August and Marjorie Seedling are available from September into October. Plums are a good source of vitamin C and fibre and include valuable agents known as phyto-oestrogens that are known to help prevent heart disease and fight cancer. They arwe also low in sodium but high in potassium which can help lower blood pressure.

A typical plum orchard produces top quality fruit for up to twenty years. British plums are picked by hand and are quickly packed to ensure quality and freshness. To help you identify plums from the Uk look out for the Little Red Tractor logo. This symbol also guarantees that produce has been grown in accordance with an independently assessed assurance scheme. British plums fall into two different categories: dessert and culinary, providing shoppesr with some innovative cooking ideas.

Supermarkets will be stocking British Plums in support of "Everyone loves British plums" campaign, which is launched on August 18, but remember to look out for the Little Red Tractor so you can be sure you are buying plums from an English Orchard.

This years crop outlook:

-There has been no frost damange
-A large crop is forecasted with good availability
-Hand thinning is necessary to secure good sizes
-38mm for Victoria and Marjorie Seedling will be the minimum size spec for good returns.

Did you know?
- The stone of a plum is as individual as a human fingerprint.
- Plums are low in fat and provide about 5% of a persons recommended daily intake of vitamin C
-Plums contact phyto-oestrogens that help to fight heart disease and cancer
- Last year approximately 12,500 tonnes of British plums were growin in the UK

Summer 2003