Betuwse Kwets

The Betuwe Plum (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica ‘Betuwse Kwets’) is an old Dutch plum variety that is deeply rooted in Betuwe, a Gelderland region known for its fruit growing. Although the exact origin is unknown, this variety was already mentioned in a catalogue by Ottolander in 1860.
The Betuwse Kwets is a fairly small, strikingly elongated plum with a pointed shape. The skin is dark blue to purple with a light haze (dewdrop) and the fruits hang in bunches on the tree. The flesh is firm, juicy and yellow-green in color, with a sweet taste and a wine like aroma. The tree blooms in the spring with white blossoms. The fruits are ripe for harvest in September.
Although the plums have a short shelf life, they can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen as a puree. When the plum is ripe, the stone comes loose easily, making it easy to pit. They are known for their high sugar content, which also makes them suitable for drying.
Betuwe Plums have always been a bit of an odd one out among plums: their shape makes them look a bit weaker than the firm plums that are available in the supermarket. As a result, they are often seen as a kind of ‘failed plum’. Historically, however, Betuwe Plums have been very important for the development of the plums as we know today. The Betuwse Kwets is an example of a historical fruit variety, with high disease resistance and good fruit quality with firm flesh.
The Betuwse Kwets is a predominantly self-pollinating plum tree and is a good pollinator for many other plum varieties. Possible pollinators for the Betuwe Plum are Anna Späth, Monsieur Hȃtif, Reine Claude Verte, Reine Claude d’Oullins and Reine Victoria.
The Betuwe Plum is versatile. It is delicious to eat fresh when it is fully ripe. However, they are most effective when used as a baking plum, for example in desserts, pastries or pies. It is also extremely suitable for freezing, for jam, compote and for distilling. The Genootschap der Warme Stokers makes an excellent eau de vie from it almost every year.
The Betuwe Plum is more than just a plum – it symbolizes the fruit heritage of the Betuwe. Although the plum is no longer as widespread as it once was, it remains a popular variety among heirloom fruit lovers and contributes to the preservation of agricultural biodiversity in the Netherlands. The tree is still available at various Dutch nurseries, garden centers and online plant shops.