Mirabelle tree in blossom A mirabelle tree in autumn The mirabelle is a drupe fruit of the Mirabelle tree (Prunus cerasifera), a variety of the plum tree. It is a speciality of the Lorraine region, which, with about 15 000 tons per year has 70% of the world production.
The mirabelles are small round plums of yellow or red colour. There are two main varieties: of Nancy and of Metz. The Metz variety is smaller, less hard, sweeter and it has small red spots on the skin. It is very good for jam, while the Nancy variaty is better as fresh fruit. 90% of the mirabelles produced are used transformed in conserves and jam (70%) and in brandy (20%).
The fruit can be eaten after reaching maturity, from mid-August to mid-September.
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