GREENGAGE JAM.

[John Arton]

As a young kid my mother always told me that she found me under a gooseberry bush.
At the time we had them growing wild in the garden and I used to spend hours crawling through the prickly bushes stuffing my face with them whilst looking for another brother to replace the one I had as we were always arguing and fighting with each other.
Never found another bro. but got a love of gooseberries that stays to this day.
As for greengage we used to be given homemade greengage jam by and old lady who lived near us and who made loads of home made jams, strawberry,raspberry, red currant etc.
Nowadays the only gooseberry I get is when I play gooseberry to youngest daughter when she brings her boyfriend around.
rgds
JA

[Captain Kong]

Greengages............ from Wikipedia..
Description
Greengage fruit are identified by their round-oval shape and smooth-textured, pale green flesh; they are on average smaller than round plums but larger than mirabelle plums (usually between 2 and 4 cm diameter). The skin ranges in colour from green to yellowish, with a pale blue "blush" in some cultivars; a few Reine Claudes – such as 'Graf Althanns' –, are reddish-purple due to crossbreeding with other plums. Greengages are grown in temperate areas and are known for the rich, confectionery flavour. They are considered to be among the finest dessert plums.

[edit] History and etymologySources attribute the origin of the name "greengage" variably to several members of the Gage family. One account states the cultivar was brought into England by the Rev. John Gage, who obtained them from the Chartreuse Monastery.[2] "Green Gages" were imported into England from France in 1724 by Sir William Gage, 7th Baronet, from whom they get their English name.[3] Allegedly, the labels identifying the French plum trees were lost in transit to Gage's home in Bury St. Edmunds. Soon after, greengages were cultivated in the American colonies, even being grown on the plantations of American presidents George Washington (1732–1799) and Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826). However, their cultivation in North America has declined significantly since the 18th century.

The name Reine Claude (French for "Queen Claude"), by which they are known in France, is in honour of Claude (1499–1524), the Duchess of Brittany, who became the queen consort of King Francis I of France (1494–1547). Greengages are also called la bonne reine (French for "the good Queen") in France.[

[Tony Wilding]

Not really ever been a Jam lover, apart from Black Current Jelly Jam, i found the Tinned Greengage Jam pretty tasteless, used to nick the Jars from the Pantry, but ripe fresh Greengages are delicious, dont see them for sale.have some strange fruits here in Philippines, Jackfruit, smells foul, but nice, when i was a boy living in Kent we had an Orchard of many kinds of fruit trees, Victoria Plum, Greengage, Cherry Apple And Pears, and one unusual Mulberry Tree, lots o Dessert Gooseberry Bushes.

[Gulliver]

Wonder if Tesco will give us a discount for bulk purchase?

Tony,I think just by us googling' greengage jam on Tesco that Tesco HQ(Headquarters) have alerted every Tesco store in the country of an impending Greengage 'rush'.
You know Tesco-never miss an opportunity ! (LOL = Laugh Out Loud.)

Gulliver

[Frederick Lacey]

Would you believe it. ??

Went shopping yesterday to both Morrisons and Tesco's, searched through the Jam shelves. NO GREENGAGE. !!!!!

[Frederick Lacey]

Back to the good old Greengage Jam, went to Tom's Farm Shop at Great Totham in Essex and Perrywood Nurseries in Tiptree Essex today,
loadS of Greengage Jam on the shelves, bought a couple of jars.....Delicious......reactivated the taste buds.

Fred.

[Robert T. Bush]

Anyone remember Battleaxe Jam in cans made in Wishaw. BTC loved it, the Apricot flavour was made from sliced carrots. Not very good.

[happy daze john in oz]

Would you believe it. ??

Went shopping yesterday to both Morrisons and Tesco's, searched through the Jam shelves. NO GREENGAGE. !!!!!

No guage for the greens? Does the EU know about this/

[happy daze john in oz]

[QUOTE=Robert T. Bush;124077]Anyone remember Battleaxe Jam

Did they use this to chop the bread with.

[Frederick Lacey]

Being as Greengage Jam is being mentioned again, brought this thread back for all those who might have missed it.!!!!!!!! Fred.