Damson Gin, Jam & Crumble Speedy Recipes

Damsons are a subspecies of the Plum family and have a really high fruit rate, which is great for bakers. Now, the trees themselves may not be the most elegant or attractive, but they are low-fuss. I only prune mine if it gets damaged or a branch is really growing in the wrong place.

What to do with Damsons?

1. Damson Gin Recipe
2. How to make Damson Jam
3. Making a Damson Crumble
4. How to Prune a Damson Tree

Damson Recipes

So here are my Top 3 speedy Damson recipes to help you get the most out of your Damson harvests. These Damson recipes are for the time-poor gardener/cook who suddenly finds themselves with a bucketful of Damsons and needs to make good use of them! Watch my video guide below to make Damson Jam, Gin and Crumble.

When should I harvest Damsons?

September is the ideal time to harvest juicy Damsons in the UK. To tell if Damsons are ripe, give them a light squeeze. If they feel solid like bullets, they need another week or so. If they are soft to the squeeze, they are ready. They should pull off easily and be edible, not tart or rock solid!

If you haven't got your own tree, you can often find people online complaining about too many Damsons. So you can always find someone with spare fruit to go and pick. Obviously, always ask permission, but they are really easy to harvest by simply twisting off the fruits.

Should I destone my damsons?

Now as a disclaimer, there are two camps of Damson cookers. Those who destone their damsons and those that don't. Destoning Damsons is a laborious process but it does result in an easier eating experience. I tend not to destone my damsons for speed. It's entirely up to you but you have been warned!

How to make Damson Gin

Damson gin is probably the easiest thing to make with a glut of Damsons and is the perfect Christmas or winter tipple! In fact, it is delicious neat over ice or used to perk up a glass of Prosecco when entertaining friends!

• 500g Damsons Frozen
• 75cl of Dry Gin
• 250g Caster Sugar
• Airtight container

This method for making your own Damson Gin could not be simpler.

1. Freeze your Damsons overnight in a bag or Tupperware
2. Add the Damsons, Sugar and Gin to an airtight container like a mason jar or Kilner jar
3. Give it a really good shake
4. Put it into a cupboard, somewhere out of direct sunlight, for 2-3 months. Shaking each week to ensure the sugar has dissolved.
5. When ready, pass the gin through some muslin to sift out the debris and decant into a bottle. That's it!

Damson Jam Recipe

Making Damson jam is super easy, given the extraordinarily high pectin levels in the fruit. This means the jam sets without the need for special jam sugar or added pectin.

• 1kg Damsons
• 1kg Caster Sugar

Again this method is so simple, especially if you can tolerate leaving the stones in the Damson. This way it's effortless.

1. Add your sugar to your largest pan and place it on the highest heat on the stove or hob.
2. Add the fruit and stir until the sugar dissolves.
3. Bring to a rapid boil for 10 mins - don't stir.
4. While this is happening, wash four jam jars. Then, place them in an oven or microwave to sterilise them. Usually, 5 minutes does it.
5. Use a Jam thermometer to check if it has reached the setting point. Alternatively, use a cold saucer out of the fridge. Add a blob of jam onto it, if it quickly forms a skin it's done. If not, give it another 2 mins.
6. Lift out your jars and pour the jam into the jar using a ladle. Leave to cool, then add your lids.
7. This jam will store for over a year if you don't devour it first!

Damson Crumble (Serves 6 or 4 hungry diners)

Who doesn't love a fruity crumble after Sunday lunch? Crumbles are super easy to make and with the insane amount of pectin in your Damsons these crumbles are super sticky and delicious!

• 800g Fresh Damsons
• 1 tablespoon of Brown Sugar
• 2 peeled and cored Apples
• Crumble:
  • 250g Plain Flour
  • 160g Brown Sugar
  • 150g Butter

This crumble recipe is so easy and delicious. Especially if you have unexpected guests. You can be kind and destone but if in a hurry I wouldn't bother. Just explain to your guests to watch out when they tuck in. It depends on how friendly you are!

1. Add your Damsons (stoned or not) to an ovenproof dish.
2. Peel and core your two apples. Slice and add to the Damsons.
3. Sprinkle over a tablespoon of brown sugar - any type of brown sugar will do.
4. Make your crumble by adding all the crumble ingredients to a food processor. Blitz until it turns to crumbs.
5. Cover the fruit and bake for 30 mins at 180c
6. Serve immediately with cream or ice cream.

How to Prune Damsons

If I need to prune, I always do it in summer to avoid silver leaf disease. Watch my How to prune a cherry tree guide below to make sure you prune it correctly. For the most part you're only pruning damsons if they get damaged or if they are young whip trees that need some formative pruning. Mostly I never prune mature damsons unless damaged or diseased!

Here are the steps to correctly prune a Damson tree:

1. Timing

Prune your damson tree during summer to avid silverleaf and never in winter.

2. Use Clean, Sharp Tools

Always use clean, sharp pruning tools to make clean cuts and minimize the risk of disease transmission. Disinfect your tools between cuts, especially when dealing with diseased wood.

3. Remove Dead or Diseased Wood

Start by identifying and removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Cut them back to healthy wood or to the base of the tree if necessary.

4. Thin Out Crowded Branches

Next, thin out any overcrowded branches to improve air circulation and light penetration throughout the tree. Cut back competing branches to their point of origin or to a lateral branch.

5. Maintain an Open Center

Damson trees benefit from an open centre or vase shape. Identify the central leader (main trunk) and remove any competing branches growing vertically upward. Aim for a balanced structure with several main branches radiating outwards from the centre. This is known as the open goblet shape.

6. Consider Fruit Production

When pruning for fruit production, focus on encouraging new growth on younger wood where fruiting spurs will develop. Prune older wood to rejuvenate the tree and promote vigorous growth.

7. Avoid Over-Pruning

While it's important to prune for shape and structure, avoid over-pruning, which can reduce the fruiting potential of Damsons. Aim for a balanced approach that maintains the tree's health and vitality.

8. Monitor and Adjust

Keep an eye on your damson tree throughout the growing season and make adjustments as needed. Remove any water sprouts or suckers that emerge from the base of the tree, and continue to shape and train the tree to your desired form over time.

However, unlike other fruit trees, such as apples, that need regular maintenance pruning to encourage fruiting, Damsons are almost the reverse. Neglect seems to bring bountiful fruit yields!

Summary

Here are my seriously simple Damson recipes. Unapologetically, they make the most of the tart taste of Damson without adding all sorts of other sweeter fruits. I like to keep things simple and celebrate the humble Damson.

Growing fruit to make your own jam is an awesome idea for several reasons, Ninjas. First, it's a fun and rewarding way to connect with nature and enjoy the fruits of your labour—literally! Plus, you have total control over what goes into your jam, so you can skip all those artificial additives and enjoy homegrown fruit's pure, natural goodness.

Making your own jam also lets you experiment with different flavours outside of Damsons and get creative in the kitchen. And let's not forget the satisfaction of sharing your homemade jam with friends and family. It's like spreading joy on toast. So grab those gardening gloves and get ready to jam out in your back gardens— a berry-delicious adventure waiting to happen!

If you've liked this recipe why not let me know or show me your Damson success stories on social media? Tweet, Facebook or Instagram me to share your love of Damsons.

Happy Baking/Gardening!

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