Altesse Double

‘Altesse Double’, also known as ‘Quetsche d’Italie’ or ‘Fellenberg’, is an old variety originating from Lombardy and traditionally grown in orchards across Belgium, Switzerland and neighbouring regions.

The fairly large plum is oval and elongated, narrowing slightly towards the stalk. Its skin turns dark blue-violet when ripe and is covered with a heavy bluish bloom.

The greenish-yellow to golden-yellow flesh is firm, fine-textured and abundantly juicy. Its flavour is rich, sweet, pleasantly acidic and highly aromatic. The stone separates easily when the fruit is fully ripe.

Harvest generally takes place during the first half of September. The fruit has a very short natural storage life and should be eaten, processed or frozen soon after picking.

‘Altesse Double’ is excellent for eating fresh and is also very well suited to tarts, compotes, jams, preserves, fruit brandies and drying.

The tree has moderate vigour, a semi-upright habit and sometimes irregular productivity. Its late flowering reduces the risk of damage from spring frosts. The variety is self-fertile and produces good-quality pollen, although another European plum flowering at a similar time may improve fruit set. It is susceptible to plum pox virus and may also be affected by brown rot in damp conditions.