july. 'pluot' plums. spain
'Pluots' are a relatively new sensation in the stone fruit category - they are a naturally pollinated cross-breed between plums and apricots which take the best characteristics of each to create a super sweet fruit with intense colour and flavour. I came across pluots for the first time during a visit to a grower in southern Spain in 2010 and haven't forgotten about them since! I have chosen to center my July menu around this fruit to showcase the versatility as well as wonderful aroma and flavour you get from a pluot when it's in season.
My trusted grower in Spain was founded by Jose 'Pepe' Gandia in the mid 1980s. He is a passionate produce man whom I have had the pleasure of meeting many times through my career, such is the quality of their fruit that I have introduced them into the market in Dubai through my work with Spinney and we have just started to import the beautiful 'METIS' plums from Royal this season.
NOTE: METIS stands for 'most exciting tasting inter specific'... not the most catchy but definitely true!
My trusted grower in Spain was founded by Jose 'Pepe' Gandia in the mid 1980s. He is a passionate produce man whom I have had the pleasure of meeting many times through my career, such is the quality of their fruit that I have introduced them into the market in Dubai through my work with Spinney and we have just started to import the beautiful 'METIS' plums from Royal this season.
NOTE: METIS stands for 'most exciting tasting inter specific'... not the most catchy but definitely true!