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→Origins and Characteristics of the Namur Plum
==Origins and Characteristics of the Namur Plum==
Reportedly a direct descendant of the regular damson prune, or quetsche, the Prune de Namur was originally cultivated in Ancient Syria, and is believed to have been brought to Europe as early as the 1st Century. It isn't, however, until the 12th Century, at the time of the 2nd Crusade, that Namur plum trees are grouped into orchards and cultivated exclusively for their fruit.<ref name=PrunesDeNamur> Maredret, La mémoire de notre village, Prune de Namur, [http://www.maredret.be/patrimoine/patrimoinenaturel/ete/prunedenamur/prunedenamur.htmLa mémoire de notre village, Prune de Namur, ]</ref>
The plateaux and hillsides of Condroz and l'Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse soon become preferential for the Namur plum tree, where the altitude, climate and soil composition are favorable for its growth. At maturity, the quetschier will produce between 25 and 50kg of fruit per year, which is quite abundant. Visually, the plum itself is slightly smaller than a regular quetsche.