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Plums
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Plums are small to medium-sized stone fruits, averaging 2 to 7 centimeters in diameter, and have a round, oval, ovate, to cordate shape with a prominent suture line extending from the stem’s cavity to the Plum’s base. The fruit’s skin is thin, taut, smooth, and delicate, bruising easily, and ranges in color from dark purple, almost black, ruby red, bright green to golden amber, depending on the variety. Some Plum cultivars are also covered in a waxy, pale blue to grey bloom that encases the entire surface of the fruit, locking in moisture and acting as a protective barrier. Underneath the skin, the flesh is semi-firm, aqueous, and dense with a tender and succulent consistency. Each variety of Plum will exhibit varying flesh tones, including orange, yellow, purple, red, pink, to green hues, and there is a brown pit that is either tightly adhered or easily separated from the center of the flesh. Plums, depending on the variety, will have a sweet and subacid, sweet-tart, or sour flavor with fruity, tropical, rich, and sometimes sugary nuances.
Plums are available in the summer through early fall.
Plums, botanically a part of the Prunus genus, are flavorful stone fruits belonging to the Rosaceae family. Experts believe there are two main species, known as Japanese plums, or Prunus salicina, and European plums, Prunus domestica. Both species are the main types utilized for commercial production, and species such as American plums, Prunus americana are considered minor, more localized types. There are many different varieties of Plums within each of these species that vary in flavor, appearance, and texture. Plums grow on trees that can reach 5 to 12 meters in height, and common cultivars include Santa Rosa, Greengage, Mirabelle, Moyer, Friar, Damson, El Dorado, and Elephant Heart. Plums are believed to be one of the earliest cultivated fruits in history and have been favored since antiquity for their sweet, subtly tangy flavor and firm but tender flesh.
Plums are rich in antioxidants that protect the cells against free radical damage and are a good source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, calcium to build bones and teeth, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and potassium to balance fluid levels in the body. The fruits are also a source of vitamin K to faster wound healing, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, and contain lower amounts of copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Plums are a versatile culinary ingredient well suited for fresh, cooked, and preserved preparations. The fruits can be eaten straight, out of hand, and the thin skin can be left intact or peeled before consumption. Plums have a sweet-tart flavor that complements both sweet and savory dishes, and the flesh can be sliced into green salads, layered onto toast, chopped into grain bowls, or used as a fresh topping over pancakes, waffles, crepes, and ice cream. The fruits can also be combined into bread or blended into smoothies, shakes, and fruit juices. In Eastern Europe, Plums are popularly fermented into plum wine and are also mashed and used to make a brandy known as Slivovitz, a beverage commonly consumed during Passover. In addition to fresh preparations, Plums are frequently incorporated into desserts, including cakes, tarts, pies, and crumbles, simmered into jams, jellies, and chutney, or cooked as a natural sweetener in sauces such as barbeque and teriyaki. Plums are also stewed and roasted, and dark purple fruits will contribute a dark red-purple hue to dishes. The fruits can be poached in syrup as a healthy dessert or are grilled and served with soft cheeses as a savory appetizer. Plums pair well with meats such as lamb, poultry, or pork, fruits including peaches, nectarines, citrus, cherries, and figs, aged and fresh cheeses, cinnamon, anise, chocolate, almonds, and pistachios. Whole, unwashed Plums should be stored at room temperature to ripen. Once ripe, the fruits can be stored for one week when wrapped in plastic and kept in the refrigerator. Plums can also be frozen for 6 to 12 months or dried for extended use.
Historically, Plums have been dried to extend their shelf life, turning into a chewy, wrinkled, sticky food known as prunes. The dried fruit is traditionally made from European Plums, especially the Agen variety, and is consumed as a nutritional snack, natural sweetener, or thickener for baked goods. Prunes are not a new food, but over the past century, they have developed a reputation of being a dried fruit only consumed by the elderly for digestive laxation. To help combat this reputation, there has been a movement to rename prunes to dried plums. In the United States, over 99% of the prunes sold in the country are grown and produced in California. Within the state, there is even a California Dried Plum Board to protect prune production. The board partnered with the American government to officially recognize the name dried plum as a viable commercial title in hopes that the name change will encourage consumers to view the dried fruits differently. Marketing for dried plums has targeted a younger, health-conscious clientele, and the fruits are being touted for their nutritional properties. Today there are approximately 46,000 acres of orchards and over 800 growers cultivating Plums for dried fruit production.
Plums are native to several regions worldwide and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Japanese plums have origins in China but were first domesticated in Japan, while European plums evolved as a hybrid from wild fruits present in the Caucasus mountains and near the Caspian Sea. Over time, each species was extensively cultivated, creating a hybridization of thousands of plum subspecies and varieties, descendants of the wild fruits. European plums were also transported to the New World in the 17th century, and Japanese plums were introduced in the late 19th century, further expanding the fruit’s diversity through worldwide cultivation. Today China, Romania, Serbia, and the United States are the top producers of Plums, and the fruits, when in season, can be found through farmer’s markets, specialty distributors, grocers, and supermarkets in temperate regions.
Recipes that include Plums. One
is easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Plums using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Plums | |
| Food Fable: Plums |
Description/Taste
Plums are small to medium-sized stone fruits, averaging 2 to 7 centimeters in diameter, and have a round, oval, ovate, to cordate shape with a prominent suture line extending from the stem’s cavity to the Plum’s base. The fruit’s skin is thin, taut, smooth, and delicate, bruising easily, and ranges in color from dark purple, almost black, ruby red, bright green to golden amber, depending on the variety. Some Plum cultivars are also covered in a waxy, pale blue to grey bloom that encases the entire surface of the fruit, locking in moisture and acting as a protective barrier. Underneath the skin, the flesh is semi-firm, aqueous, and dense with a tender and succulent consistency. Each variety of Plum will exhibit varying flesh tones, including orange, yellow, purple, red, pink, to green hues, and there is a brown pit that is either tightly adhered or easily separated from the center of the flesh. Plums, depending on the variety, will have a sweet and subacid, sweet-tart, or sour flavor with fruity, tropical, rich, and sometimes sugary nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Plums are available in the summer through early fall.
Current Facts
Plums, botanically a part of the Prunus genus, are flavorful stone fruits belonging to the Rosaceae family. Experts believe there are two main species, known as Japanese plums, or Prunus salicina, and European plums, Prunus domestica. Both species are the main types utilized for commercial production, and species such as American plums, Prunus americana are considered minor, more localized types. There are many different varieties of Plums within each of these species that vary in flavor, appearance, and texture. Plums grow on trees that can reach 5 to 12 meters in height, and common cultivars include Santa Rosa, Greengage, Mirabelle, Moyer, Friar, Damson, El Dorado, and Elephant Heart. Plums are believed to be one of the earliest cultivated fruits in history and have been favored since antiquity for their sweet, subtly tangy flavor and firm but tender flesh.
Nutritional Value
Plums are rich in antioxidants that protect the cells against free radical damage and are a good source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, calcium to build bones and teeth, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and potassium to balance fluid levels in the body. The fruits are also a source of vitamin K to faster wound healing, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, and contain lower amounts of copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Applications
Plums are a versatile culinary ingredient well suited for fresh, cooked, and preserved preparations. The fruits can be eaten straight, out of hand, and the thin skin can be left intact or peeled before consumption. Plums have a sweet-tart flavor that complements both sweet and savory dishes, and the flesh can be sliced into green salads, layered onto toast, chopped into grain bowls, or used as a fresh topping over pancakes, waffles, crepes, and ice cream. The fruits can also be combined into bread or blended into smoothies, shakes, and fruit juices. In Eastern Europe, Plums are popularly fermented into plum wine and are also mashed and used to make a brandy known as Slivovitz, a beverage commonly consumed during Passover. In addition to fresh preparations, Plums are frequently incorporated into desserts, including cakes, tarts, pies, and crumbles, simmered into jams, jellies, and chutney, or cooked as a natural sweetener in sauces such as barbeque and teriyaki. Plums are also stewed and roasted, and dark purple fruits will contribute a dark red-purple hue to dishes. The fruits can be poached in syrup as a healthy dessert or are grilled and served with soft cheeses as a savory appetizer. Plums pair well with meats such as lamb, poultry, or pork, fruits including peaches, nectarines, citrus, cherries, and figs, aged and fresh cheeses, cinnamon, anise, chocolate, almonds, and pistachios. Whole, unwashed Plums should be stored at room temperature to ripen. Once ripe, the fruits can be stored for one week when wrapped in plastic and kept in the refrigerator. Plums can also be frozen for 6 to 12 months or dried for extended use.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Historically, Plums have been dried to extend their shelf life, turning into a chewy, wrinkled, sticky food known as prunes. The dried fruit is traditionally made from European Plums, especially the Agen variety, and is consumed as a nutritional snack, natural sweetener, or thickener for baked goods. Prunes are not a new food, but over the past century, they have developed a reputation of being a dried fruit only consumed by the elderly for digestive laxation. To help combat this reputation, there has been a movement to rename prunes to dried plums. In the United States, over 99% of the prunes sold in the country are grown and produced in California. Within the state, there is even a California Dried Plum Board to protect prune production. The board partnered with the American government to officially recognize the name dried plum as a viable commercial title in hopes that the name change will encourage consumers to view the dried fruits differently. Marketing for dried plums has targeted a younger, health-conscious clientele, and the fruits are being touted for their nutritional properties. Today there are approximately 46,000 acres of orchards and over 800 growers cultivating Plums for dried fruit production.
Geography/History
Plums are native to several regions worldwide and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Japanese plums have origins in China but were first domesticated in Japan, while European plums evolved as a hybrid from wild fruits present in the Caucasus mountains and near the Caspian Sea. Over time, each species was extensively cultivated, creating a hybridization of thousands of plum subspecies and varieties, descendants of the wild fruits. European plums were also transported to the New World in the 17th century, and Japanese plums were introduced in the late 19th century, further expanding the fruit’s diversity through worldwide cultivation. Today China, Romania, Serbia, and the United States are the top producers of Plums, and the fruits, when in season, can be found through farmer’s markets, specialty distributors, grocers, and supermarkets in temperate regions.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Plums. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Plums using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Little Italy Mercato
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 27 days ago, 8/26/23 Sharer's comments : Smit Farms 
Del Mar Farmers Market
Near Del Mar, California, United StatesAbout 34 days ago, 8/19/23 Sharer's comments : Smit Farms 
Zhangir Khan St. 103, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Aqbota vegetable store
California, United StatesZhangir Khan St. 103, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 45 days ago, 8/09/23 Sharer's comments : Seasonal plums of Almaty, Kazakhstan 
La Jolla Farmers Market
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesAbout 54 days ago, 7/30/23 Sharer's comments : Smit Farms 
Syrgabekova str. 19, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Baganashyl convenient vegetable store Arai
California, United StatesSyrgabekova str. 19, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 65 days ago, 7/20/23 Sharer's comments : Plums of Kazakhstan 
Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market
Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesAbout 68 days ago, 7/16/23 Sharer's comments : Smit Farms 
Magnum Cash & Carry
Supermarket Magnum
California, United Statesул. Халиуллина 194, Алматы 050010, Казахстан About 83 days ago, 7/02/23 Sharer's comments : Uzbek plums 
Komsomol village, Kyrgyzstan
Avrora resort, Kyrgyzstan
California, United StatesKomsomol village, Kyrgyzstan About 86 days ago, 6/29/23 Sharer's comments : Local Kyrgyz plums 
Supermarket Magnum
California, United Statesпр-т. Назарбаева 226, Алматы 050000 About 89 days ago, 6/26/23 Sharer's comments : Plums of Tashkent, Uzbekistan 
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
California, United StatesAbout 115 days ago, 5/31/23 Sharer's comments : Imported Back Chinese plums 
Базар
Kazakhfilm weekend food fair
California, United StatesIsinaliyev str. 34, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 125 days ago, 5/21/23 Sharer's comments : Plums of Tashkent, Uzbekistan 
Supermarket SMall
California, United Statesул. Исиналиева 13,, Алматы, Казахстан About 148 days ago, 4/28/23 Sharer's comments : Red plums of Chile imported to Almaty, Kazakhstan 
Green Market
California, United Statesулица Жибек Жолы 53, Алматы 050000, Казахстан About 195 days ago, 3/12/23 Sharer's comments : Plums of Turkey 
Truman Waterfront Market
Near Key West, Florida, United StatesAbout 232 days ago, 2/02/23 
Little Italy Mercato
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 328 days ago, 10/29/22 Sharer's comments : Emerald beauty green plums!! 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st, #150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://www.specialtyproduce.com About 344 days ago, 10/13/22 Sharer's comments : Roysum Plums From Scott Farms 
Magnum supermarket
California, United StatesAlmagul microdistrict 18 A, Алматы 050000, Kazakhstan About 407 days ago, 8/11/22 Sharer's comments : Tashkent plums of Uzbekistan 
Kazakhfilm microdistrict, Isinaliyeva st. 13, Alma
Ecofresh market
California, United StatesKazakhfilm microdistrict, Isinaliyeva st. 13, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 410 days ago, 8/09/22 Sharer's comments : Beautiful seasonal plums of Almaty region 
Little Italy Mercato
Polito Family Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesValley Center Pauma Valley, CA About 419 days ago, 7/30/22 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 425 days ago, 7/25/22 Sharer's comments : Black Splendor Plums from Scott Farms 
Borough Market
Turnips Borough Market
Near London, England, United Kingdom43 Borough Market, London SE1 9AH, United Kingdom 442073578356 https://turnipsboroughmarket.com About 436 days ago, 7/14/22 
Satpayev 64, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Convenient vegetable store
England, United KingdomSatpayev 64, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 437 days ago, 7/13/22 Sharer's comments : Beautiful and sweet plums delivered from fruitful Uzbekistan to Almaty, Kazakhstan 
Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market
Smit Farms
Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 439 days ago, 7/10/22 Sharer's comments : Catalina plums 😋 
Otegen Batyr administrative center, Almaty region
GRES Vegetable store
California, United StatesOtegen Batyr administrative center, Almaty region, Kazakhstan About 447 days ago, 7/03/22 Sharer's comments : Plums from Uzbekistan 
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Magnum supermarket
California, United StatesAlmagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 452 days ago, 6/28/22 Sharer's comments : Plums from Tashkent, Uzbekistan 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 452 days ago, 6/27/22 Sharer's comments : Black Splendor Plums from Scott Farms 
Poway Farmers Market
Smit Farms
Near Poway, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 454 days ago, 6/25/22 
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Magnum supermarket
California, United StatesAlmagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 459 days ago, 6/21/22 Sharer's comments : Plums from sunny Uzbekistan 
Hillcrest Farmers Market
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 467 days ago, 6/12/22 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Kens Top Notch
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 469 days ago, 6/11/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Plum from Kens Top Notch 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Kens Top Notch
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 483 days ago, 5/28/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Plums from Kens Top Notch 
Orbita microdistrict, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Orbita market
California, United StatesOrbita microdistrict, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 532 days ago, 4/09/22 Sharer's comments : Sweet Iranian plums 
Galmart
California, United StatesТРЦ DOSTYK PLAZA, микрорайон Самал-2, 111, 050051/A25C9C5, Алматы, Самал 2, 1 этаж About 571 days ago, 3/01/22 Sharer's comments : Plums imported from Israel to Kazakhstan 
Poway Farmers Market
Smit Farms
Near Poway, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 685 days ago, 11/06/21 
Eco Fresh Market
California, United StatesМикрорайон Казахфильм, 17/1, 050023, Алматы, Казахфильм About 704 days ago, 10/19/21 Sharer's comments : Plums of South Kazakhstan grown in fertile land of Alatau foothills 
Eco Fresh Market
California, United StatesМикрорайон Казахфильм, 17/1, 050023, Алматы, Казахфильм About 714 days ago, 10/09/21 Sharer's comments : Sweet Plums of South Kazakhstan |
