The taste of beach plum jam, for those who have had the privilege to partake of such a delicacy, brings to mind spending summer down the shore. It is a long-standing tradition among beach locals to gather the tart, tiny, wild plums from mid-August to late September, and to make them into canned preserves for the winter. Not only delicious, the beach plum plant also plays a large part in the ecosystem of the dunes and has been increasingly monitored over the last two decades by ecologists. More recently, however, the science community has shifted its focus away from the plant’s ability to prevent erosion, looking now at cultivating the fruit for commercial farming. Cornell University has pioneered the study of the plum, known in sciencey-circles as prunus maritima, and recent findings show that it has extremely high levels of antioxidants (as well as extremely high levels of yum!) which can only help to boost its food profile. We say now is the time – get thee to the shore, specifically the Cape May area, and pick thee some beach plums before they lose their wild charm!

For more info on beach plums, and for a recipe for beach plum jam, go here