Reine Claude Plums (Greengages)

Tasting Notes of the Curator

Biting into a Reine Claude is a moment of reverie. The flesh, golden-green and lush, yields easily to the tongue—so tender, it practically melts. There’s a velvety, syrupy sweetness that’s layered rather than cloying, interwoven with notes of ripe honeydew, stone fruit, and white flowers. Hints of vanilla, a kiss of tartness near the skin, and a whisper of herbaceous brightness complete the profile. Each plum carries the memory of sun-drenched orchards and centuries of French cultivation, its taste evocative of orchard walks and antique markets in Provence. Unlike other plums that lean boldly into acidity or tang, the Reine Claude remains gentle and romantic—a fruit of nuance, not noise. Often considered the aristocrat of plums, its flavor is as delicate as it is decadent, offering a truly refined fruit experience.

Pairings and Suggestions

Cheese boards: Serve chilled alongside goat cheese, Brillat-Savarin, or a bloomy Brie for an exquisite interplay of textures and flavors.

Pastry pairing: Fold into frangipane tarts or bake into rustic galettes where the plums’ natural sugars can caramelize beautifully.

Fresh indulgence: Halve and serve over Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey and crushed pistachios for a graceful breakfast or dessert.

Preserve magic: These plums make an extraordinary jam or compote, their sugar content and aromatic quality concentrating delightfully.

Sipping companions: Try with sparkling wines or dessert wines like Sauternes or a floral Moscato.

Echoes of a French Orchard

Named after Queen Claude of France, the devoted wife of King Francis I, these green jewels have been cultivated since the 16th century and are considered royalty among plums. Their legacy lives in the châteaux and countryside orchards of France, where they’re hand-harvested at peak ripeness. In French households, they symbolize tradition, childhood summers, and simple pleasures—preserved into confitures or devoured straight from the bowl on sun-dappled afternoons. The Reine Claude is not just a fruit, but a whisper of nostalgia, bearing the soul of a season and the elegance of old-world cultivation.

Storage Instructions

Keep Reine Claude Plums in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Allow to ripen at room temperature if still firm. Consume within 3–5 days of peak ripeness for best flavor. Wash only before eating.