Greengage

Reine-claude

What it is

Named in French for Claude of France, queen to François I, and in English after Sir William Gage, who received the trees with the labels lost. Two countries named the same fruit after two different people, and both names stuck.

In the kitchen

Ignore the colour. A ripe greengage stays green — judge it by give under the thumb and by scent alone.

Goes with

Almond Vanilla Honey Cream Pistachio Butter Cinnamon Hazelnut

Same species

Bergeron apricot Almond Almond flour Almond oil Amardine Amarena cherry in syrup

In season alongside

Mirabelle Apricot Blueberry Cantaloupe melon Mara des Bois strawberry Honeycomb

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