Are they sloes or damsons?

[WestYorkie]

Hi folks. Question as per title really.
I'm camping at Filey for a few days and on site there is a fruit tree full of fruit. They are about 3/4 inch across, dark blue and spherical. I've got a pic but can't upload from my phone.
What are they please?

[Mobile Chicane]

If they're blue all over, pick and then freeze them to mimic the nip of the first frosts.

Both sloes and damsons are delicious steeped in gin / vodka. Damsons being the more 'berryish', while sloes are more 'almondy'. (At least that's what I think.)

[condor]

I wouldn't have thought sloes would be 3/4 inch diameter - so most likely damsons. Is there a whitish bloom on them...and perhaps they look like blueberries? ( meaning they're likely to be sloes)as opposed to more plum like looking, which would make them probably be damsons.
Pic would help, even though I know you've posted you can't provide one.

Edited by condor on Monday 23 August 20:36

[anonymous-user]

SOund like damsons to me! if any are very ripe they will have a nice sweet taste! if thet are very dry and bitter thet are most likely large sloes! Dont eat them if you are not convinced they are either!

[WestYorkie]

Cheers for the replies. They're definatly sloes. I searched for pictures and found one that looks just like the pic I took.
I've now harvested around half a carrier bag full.
Thanks for the advice about freezing them MC. It'll come in handy as I don't think they're ripe yet.

[Mobile Chicane]

WestYorkie said:

Cheers for the replies. They're definatly sloes. I searched for pictures and found one that looks just like the pic I took.
I've now harvested around half a carrier bag full.
Thanks for the advice about freezing them MC. It'll come in handy as I don't think they're ripe yet.

They do need to be fully blue all over without a hint of green. The only reason I say 'pick now' is because if you wait until the first frosts, someone else will have beaten you to it.

Edited by Mobile Chicane on Monday 23 August 21:29

[Mark Benson]

The could be bullaces, slightly larger than a sloe but otherwise pretty much identical, only slightly less bitter so if you do make sloe gin and they are bullaces, cut the sugar down a little (they make nice jelly too, goes well with pork).

[kiteless]

Mark Benson said:

The could be bullaces

That was my first thought.

3/4 of an inch in diameter is awfully big for a sloe this early in the year.

[WestYorkie]

They were Sloes. But after a better look they were all still green so threw the collected ones away.
Shame really as that's less fruit for someone else now.
I'll just have to find some nearer home.