North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Lon J. Rombough" <lonrom@hevanet.com>]

Prune D'Agen is probably the same as French prune, though there are a 
number of sports and selected strains.
I haven't had enough mirabelles to judge them.
If you want something that stands up to processing, try the bullaces 
(P. insititia).  I have a white bullace supposed to be a favorite for 
preserves in England, and though I've never made any out of mine, I can 
see why.  The acids, astringency and BIG flavor would hold up to 
processing well.  The small plums are prolific and hang on in edible 
condition nearly to the end of October.
-Lon Rombough
Grapes, writing, consulting, my book, The Grape Grower, at 
http://www.bunchgrapes.com  Winner of the Garden Writers Association 
"Best Talent in Writing" award for 2003.
Grape pruning video: http://www.bunchgrapes.com/dvd.html View a short, 
low resolution clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q58zFY0B1M
A video about The Grape Grower : 
http://cookingupastory.com/index.php/2008/04/18/the-grape-grower/

On Nov 30, 2009, at 12:56 PM, Lisa Almarode wrote:

How flavorful is Prune T'Agen?  This is the same as the "French prune"
of california?  I'm looking for strong flavors that hold up through 
procesing, not just sweetness... for drying, mild sweet plums work, the
flavors get concentrated, but for jam or wine I crave aromatics.

What do you think of the Mirabelles?

Lisa, Willamette Valley, Oregon