s for “the Most Exciting Tasting Inter Specific”, is a range of interspecific varieties derived from a cross between plums and apricots. This new range of Plumcots was created by Glen Bradford, a renowned American plant breeder with a long family history in the business.The METIS® varieties were introduced several years ago in Europe by STAR FRUITS in France and RUSTICAS in Spain, then tested and selected in partnership with a handful of production and marketing groups who are already leaders on the plum market: ROYAL in Spain, BLUE WHALE in France and ZANI and MINGUZZI in Italy.
To date, nearly 200 hectares, corresponding to a wide range of varieties, have been planted and are beginning to produce. In 2014, it is expected that 2.000 tonnes of fruit will be marketed in Europe from May to November under the METIS® brand.
A response to the expectations of the plum market
The European plum market, facing strong competition from other summer fruits, has in recent years seen many new Japanese-American varieties, which while attractive to the eye, have often been underwhelming in terms of taste and quality. European consumers have an overall good perception of plums and they expect innovations and quality improvements.
To this end, the Plumtastic licencing system for the METIS® brand was created in 2013; an ambitious transnational project designed to offer a new range of superior quality interspecific plums that would please both consumers and distributors.
SENSATIONS: a new mix of flavours
The METIS® selection is grown in multiple areas and consequently available for a very long period, from May to November. The fruit is primarily characterised by a crisp, juicy texture and flesh with a sweet flavour balanced by a slightly tart skin. It is available in a variety of skin and flesh colours: red, purple, black, green, yellow and speckled.
The fruit is obtained naturally by cross-pollination (plums, apricots and plums again) done manually or by bees; it involves no genetic manipulation. Additionally, close and continuous relations are established between the breeders and growers to be able to continue improving the plant material based on field observations.
