Mirabelles of Lorraine

The official time to pick mirabelles started this week. They are about three weeks late but never mind they are so good that it was worth waiting.

I am still surprised when I meet somebody who tells me "I don't know what you are speaking about. What is a mirabelle ?" I forget that most of mirabelle trees in France are in Lorraine. I find it strange to have to explain it is a sort of yellow plum with a taste you can't compare with anything.

Once you have tasted mirabelle pies or mirabelle jam, you can't forget it. And some people would say that it is the same with eau-de-vie de mirabelle, but be careful it is too strong if you have to drive.

When I was a child we used to stand under the tree when adults shook it to get the fruit and pick them. I still remember all the mirabelles falling on my head and shoulders and the good laugh we had. And then all the ones we put in the barrel to fill it before going to the home distiller in the next village a few weeks later. Old men used to have a small glass of mirabelle before going to work or after our Sunday meal. Women tasted it by dipping a sugar lump in their husband's glass, we call it "un canard" (Don't ask me why we call it "a duck", I don't know).

A long time ago I tasted mirabelles on the French Riviera. The owner of the tree was so proud to offer me several. I didn't dare telling him they were not good, no taste, maybe they had a lot of sun to ripen but the ground is not the same, winters are not the same. It makes the whole difference.

Mirabelles are good in Lorraine only, of course.

Maison de la Mirabelle in Rozelieures

http://inandaroundlorraine.over-blog.com/maison-de-la-mirabelle-in-rozelieures

Comments

[Kay Lamb]

I wonder what my roots would say if I had a little Mirabelle LOL

[Kay Lamb]

In my by gone French thinking you say "un canard" because the sugar is like a white duck dipping it's head under the water for a bite of something!! My American mind just says "dunk" or is that my German mind? What ever blame the Clod Hopper!! In the long run feminine logic says the woman is avoiding a big swig which would knock her on her rear. So she "ducks" it LOL

[Maryse]

I think you've found why we say "un canard". The movement is similar to the one of the duck. In the end I have looked to know more and it seems this expression already existed around 1860. And better avoid the "canard" if you want to "duck", it could knock you down as it is so strong !

[Mike]

Guess What ? When Claude visited this past April he gave me a gift of a homemade bottle of Mirabelle. I did not know what is was, as it has a handmade label saying "Mirabelle" , plus he never
told me what it was. I have it here still, and now all I need to know, is if it is served chilled or not. I am
glad that I was his first stop on his visit as you get the good stuff. Let me know chilled or warm temp. Thanks Claude and thanks Maryse for the information.

[Maryse]

"Température de la pièce" (room temperature) as we say here. Keep the bottle in a cupboard, check the cork regularly not to let any air go in or out. We serve it in little liqueur glasses as it is quite strong. Enjoy it.

[George]

Had Mirabelle pie and eau-de-vie de mirablle, 4 weeks ago at my brother in laws.

[Maryse]

I'll make a mirabelle pie today, as far as the eau-de-vie is concerned we'll wait for colder weather to taste it again.