This was my first yr fruiting EB. They lived up to billing by hanging on the tree for about 2 months after first ones soften. A few at a time got soft and loosened on stem. They averaged nearly 24 brix but were on the small side. Flavor Treat averaged 25 brix and was twice as big. Still EB is a worthy addition for those with enough growing season. Mine ripened Aug to Oct but I'm usually two weeks earlier than CA and two months earlier than many locations.

The auto defrost acts as a dehydrator. Wonder how they'd do in one of the cheap small models that doesn't have that which I use for my fruit and graft wood.

The dehydration may be helping to preserve them, but I've stored Ruby Queen for almost a month in my fridge. Newer varieties tend to be bred for bullet proof shelf life even after getting up good sugar it seems.

Something Tom Spellman has noted, the pluots and apriums (plum hybrids) seem to have about 50% longer shelf life than their Prunus sp. parents which with Prunus is saying something though in another way not much.

Emerald Beauty is a miracle! It's longevity is definitely a property worth breeding.

Looks like the patent ends in 11 days.

Wow, I didn't realize Emerald Beauty was so late. I have had really bad luck with curculio on my tree but I'm going to be nailing it with Surround this coming year so I can finally taste this plum.

I have accidentally left plums in the fridge like this, I think it was some Satsumas. Same result on the flavor -- exceptional!

Scott

In that case, if anybody has any scion wood, I'd be interested. I've got lots to swap.

You know I always talked about processing. In my case I cook, but here again demonstrates that you can turn average fruit into exceptional fruit. If you have healthy, vigorous well producing plants that turn out average fruit. Methods exist to maximize flavor. Don't give up on it so quickly. Thanks for sharing this one. Although these are usually exceptional anyway. Another tool in the arsenal, thanks for posting.