Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
SalanovaĀ® Lettuces
SalanovaĀ® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglowā¢ Pineapple
Pinkglowā¢ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
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Pluots are small to medium stone fruits, averaging 2 to 7 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to ovate shape with curved, slightly flattened shoulders. The fruitās skin is thin, taut, glossy, smooth, and delicate, bruising easily and sometimes covered in a light film, depending on the cultivar. There are many different varieties of Pluots that range in appearance from solid hues to mottled, multi-colored shades of red, gold, amber, purple, green, to dark purple-red, almost black. Underneath the surface, the flesh is semi-aqueous, plump, and fine-grained with a firm but tender, succulent consistency. The flesh also varies in color from pink, red, white, yellow, to orange and contains a semi-freestone, tan pit. Pluots emit a honeyed aroma and have a sweet and tangy, candy-like flavor with floral and fruity nuances. The fruits generally contain a higher sugar content than plums and apricots and low acidity, contributing to their intense sweetness.
Pluots are available in the late spring through fall.
Pluots, botanically a part of the Prunus genus, are hybrid stone fruits belonging to the Rosaceae family. The name Pluot is a descriptor derived from the words plum and apricot and was given to a stone fruit developed by Floyd Zaiger of Zaiger Genetics in the late 20th century. Zaiger developed the original Pluot through natural, hand pollination, and the fruits are not genetically modified, considered an interspecific variety displaying more plum characteristics than apricot. In commercial markets, it is often advertised that Pluots are 75% plum and 25% apricot, but many of the Pluot varieties available today contain varying percentages and appearances based on their parent crossings. Pluots were created from multiple years of complicated crossings, and since their release to commercial markets, the hybrid fruits have continued to increase in popularity.
Pluots are a good source of vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, and potassium to balance fluid levels within the body. The hybrid fruits also provide calcium to protect bones and teeth, dietary fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and the darker pigmented varieties contain antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties to protect the cells against free radical damage.
Pluots have a sweet, floral, and subtly tangy flavor well suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The fruits can be consumed straight, out of hand, or they can be sliced and tossed into green or fruit salads, mixed into grain bowls, stirred into yogurt or cereal, or served on appetizer plates with nuts, cheeses, and other fruits. Pluots can also be cut and dipped into chocolate as a healthy treat, used as a topping over pancakes, waffles, and ice cream, blended into smoothies, or pureed and frozen into popsicles and sorbet. Pluots complement flavors found in savory or sweet preparations, and the fruits can be cooked into sauces such as variations of classic barbeque and chimichurri. The fruits can also be chopped into salsa, simmered into jams, compotes, and chutney, grilled and topped over roasted meats, or baked on flatbreads. In addition to savory preparations, Pluots are popularly used to flavor cakes, tarts, pies, cobblers, and crisps. Slices of the fruit can also be dropped into sparkling beverages as a festive, fruity drink. Pluots pair well with cheeses such as feta, mozzarella, goat, cheddar, and ricotta, fruits including mangoes, apples, blueberries, melons, and other stone fruits, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, herbs such as basil, mint, cilantro, and thyme, shellfish, and meats including poultry, pork, and beef. Whole, unwashed Pluots should be stored at room temperature until ripe. The fruits can be kept in a paper bag or placed upside down to ripen, and once mature, the fruits should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. Ripe Pluots can also be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 7 days.
In the United States, the world of interspecific hybrids has caused confusion among consumers as the fruits are often marketed under many different names and descriptors. Pluots, plumcots, and apriums are all plum-apricot hybrids, but each type displays varying degrees of characteristics from its parent varieties, revealed in the fruitās flavor, texture, and appearance. Zaiger Genetics has released over twenty varieties of Pluots, and the term Pluot was also protected by the company, forcing other farms to name their fruits with commercial marketing names. In the modern-day, Pluots are mostly known under proprietary names, including Dinosaur Egg, Dapple Dandy, Flavor Heart, Emerald Drop, Flavor Supreme, Flavor King, Geo Pride, and Flavor Grenade.
Pluots were developed in Modesto, California, through geneticist Floyd Zaiger of Zaiger Genetics in the late 20th century. Zaiger used Luther Burbankās plumcot as one of the parent varieties to create a more favorable plum-apricot hybrid, and the fruits were produced from grafting plumcot trees onto plum tree rootstock. Burbank first released plumcots, which are 50% apricot and 50% plum, in the late 19th century, but the fruits developed an unfavorable reputation among growers for their difficultly in cultivation, variable fruit production, and unreliable flavor. Zaiger took Burbankās plumcots and attempted to establish variations with improved flavor and growth characteristics, but eventually, he used the plumcots in a series of complicated crosses to create Pluots. Zaiger coined the term Pluot to create a memorable variety distinct from plumcots, and the hybrid fruits represent a modern, plum-apricot interspecific variety, trademarked in the 1990s. Today there are many different Pluot cultivars varying in appearance and flavor. The hybrid fruits are primarily grown in California and Washington, shipped to fresh markets across the United States. When in season, Pluots are found through farmer's markets, specialty distributors, and select grocers.
Recipes that include Pluots. One
is easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Pluots using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Plums | |
| Food Fable: Plums |
Description/Taste
Pluots are small to medium stone fruits, averaging 2 to 7 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to ovate shape with curved, slightly flattened shoulders. The fruitās skin is thin, taut, glossy, smooth, and delicate, bruising easily and sometimes covered in a light film, depending on the cultivar. There are many different varieties of Pluots that range in appearance from solid hues to mottled, multi-colored shades of red, gold, amber, purple, green, to dark purple-red, almost black. Underneath the surface, the flesh is semi-aqueous, plump, and fine-grained with a firm but tender, succulent consistency. The flesh also varies in color from pink, red, white, yellow, to orange and contains a semi-freestone, tan pit. Pluots emit a honeyed aroma and have a sweet and tangy, candy-like flavor with floral and fruity nuances. The fruits generally contain a higher sugar content than plums and apricots and low acidity, contributing to their intense sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Pluots are available in the late spring through fall.
Current Facts
Pluots, botanically a part of the Prunus genus, are hybrid stone fruits belonging to the Rosaceae family. The name Pluot is a descriptor derived from the words plum and apricot and was given to a stone fruit developed by Floyd Zaiger of Zaiger Genetics in the late 20th century. Zaiger developed the original Pluot through natural, hand pollination, and the fruits are not genetically modified, considered an interspecific variety displaying more plum characteristics than apricot. In commercial markets, it is often advertised that Pluots are 75% plum and 25% apricot, but many of the Pluot varieties available today contain varying percentages and appearances based on their parent crossings. Pluots were created from multiple years of complicated crossings, and since their release to commercial markets, the hybrid fruits have continued to increase in popularity.
Nutritional Value
Pluots are a good source of vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, and potassium to balance fluid levels within the body. The hybrid fruits also provide calcium to protect bones and teeth, dietary fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and the darker pigmented varieties contain antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties to protect the cells against free radical damage.
Applications
Pluots have a sweet, floral, and subtly tangy flavor well suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The fruits can be consumed straight, out of hand, or they can be sliced and tossed into green or fruit salads, mixed into grain bowls, stirred into yogurt or cereal, or served on appetizer plates with nuts, cheeses, and other fruits. Pluots can also be cut and dipped into chocolate as a healthy treat, used as a topping over pancakes, waffles, and ice cream, blended into smoothies, or pureed and frozen into popsicles and sorbet. Pluots complement flavors found in savory or sweet preparations, and the fruits can be cooked into sauces such as variations of classic barbeque and chimichurri. The fruits can also be chopped into salsa, simmered into jams, compotes, and chutney, grilled and topped over roasted meats, or baked on flatbreads. In addition to savory preparations, Pluots are popularly used to flavor cakes, tarts, pies, cobblers, and crisps. Slices of the fruit can also be dropped into sparkling beverages as a festive, fruity drink. Pluots pair well with cheeses such as feta, mozzarella, goat, cheddar, and ricotta, fruits including mangoes, apples, blueberries, melons, and other stone fruits, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, herbs such as basil, mint, cilantro, and thyme, shellfish, and meats including poultry, pork, and beef. Whole, unwashed Pluots should be stored at room temperature until ripe. The fruits can be kept in a paper bag or placed upside down to ripen, and once mature, the fruits should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. Ripe Pluots can also be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 7 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the United States, the world of interspecific hybrids has caused confusion among consumers as the fruits are often marketed under many different names and descriptors. Pluots, plumcots, and apriums are all plum-apricot hybrids, but each type displays varying degrees of characteristics from its parent varieties, revealed in the fruitās flavor, texture, and appearance. Zaiger Genetics has released over twenty varieties of Pluots, and the term Pluot was also protected by the company, forcing other farms to name their fruits with commercial marketing names. In the modern-day, Pluots are mostly known under proprietary names, including Dinosaur Egg, Dapple Dandy, Flavor Heart, Emerald Drop, Flavor Supreme, Flavor King, Geo Pride, and Flavor Grenade.
Geography/History
Pluots were developed in Modesto, California, through geneticist Floyd Zaiger of Zaiger Genetics in the late 20th century. Zaiger used Luther Burbankās plumcot as one of the parent varieties to create a more favorable plum-apricot hybrid, and the fruits were produced from grafting plumcot trees onto plum tree rootstock. Burbank first released plumcots, which are 50% apricot and 50% plum, in the late 19th century, but the fruits developed an unfavorable reputation among growers for their difficultly in cultivation, variable fruit production, and unreliable flavor. Zaiger took Burbankās plumcots and attempted to establish variations with improved flavor and growth characteristics, but eventually, he used the plumcots in a series of complicated crosses to create Pluots. Zaiger coined the term Pluot to create a memorable variety distinct from plumcots, and the hybrid fruits represent a modern, plum-apricot interspecific variety, trademarked in the 1990s. Today there are many different Pluot cultivars varying in appearance and flavor. The hybrid fruits are primarily grown in California and Washington, shipped to fresh markets across the United States. When in season, Pluots are found through farmer's markets, specialty distributors, and select grocers.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Pluots. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Pluots 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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Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 193 days ago, 11/04/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Fall Pluots from Scott Farms 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 200 days ago, 10/28/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Fall Pluots from Scoot Farms 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street Suite 150 619-295-3172 About 200 days ago, 10/28/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Gator or Sangria Pluots from Scott Farms 
Rancho Bernardo Certified Farmers Market at the Be
R&L Farms
Near 4S Ranch Pkwy S & Rancho Bernardo Rd, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 206 days ago, 10/22/21 Sharer's comments : Part plum, part apricot, all delicious!! 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Kens Top Notch Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 226 days ago, 10/02/21 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 228 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : September Yummy Pluots from Scott Farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 228 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Gator Pluot from Scott Farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 228 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : October sun pluots from Scott Farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 228 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Fall Pluots Scott Farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 242 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Emerald drop pluot from Fitzgerald farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 242 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor fall pluots from Scott farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 242 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : October sun pluots from Scott farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 242 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Candy stripe pluot from Scott farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 242 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : September yummy pluots from Scott farms 
San Marcos Farmers Market
R&L Farms
Near San Marcos, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 244 days ago, 9/14/21 
Lents International Farmers Market
Kiyokawa Family Orchards
Near Milwaukie, Oregon, United StatesParkdale, WA About 260 days ago, 8/29/21 Sharer's comments : PLUERRIES!!! A hybrid plum + cherry!!! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Fair Hills Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 261 days ago, 8/28/21 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 266 days ago, 8/23/21 Sharer's comments : Candy Stripe Pluots 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 266 days ago, 8/23/21 
Poway Farmers Market
Heritage Family Farm
Near Poway, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 268 days ago, 8/21/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Gernadeš„ pluots - so so sweet and juicy! 
Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers' Market
Smit Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 272 days ago, 8/17/21 Sharer's comments : The beloved Dino egg pluot š 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 276 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor rich pluots 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 276 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Dapple dandy pluots 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 276 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor king pluots 
La Jolla Open Aire Market
Hamlow Ranches
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair, CA 209-664-1447 About 281 days ago, 8/08/21 Sharer's comments : Also playfully known as dinosaur eggs for its speckles round shape š 
Pike Place Market
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesAbout 292 days ago, 7/28/21 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 333 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa pluots from Murray family farms 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 333 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Dapple dandy pluots from Murray family farms 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 333 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluot! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 333 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Dapple Dandy Pluot 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 343 days ago, 6/07/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 348 days ago, 6/02/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluots 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 614 days ago, 9/09/20 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rich Pluots 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 628 days ago, 8/26/20 
Broadway Sunday Farmer's Market
Collins Family Orchards
Near Seattle, Washington, United States931 Parish Rd Selah WA 98942 509-930-5742 https://www.collinsfamilyorchards.com About 631 days ago, 8/23/20 Sharer's comments : So colorful, beautiful, and ready to devour :) 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 655 days ago, 7/30/20 Sharer's comments : Emerald Drop Pluots are in 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 671 days ago, 7/14/20 Sharer's comments : Emerald Drop Pluots are still in house! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 674 days ago, 7/11/20 Sharer's comments : Emerald Gem Pluots! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 678 days ago, 7/07/20 Sharer's comments : They're still running hot! š 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 680 days ago, 7/05/20 Sharer's comments : These Flavorellas are full of flavor!š¤¤šš¼ 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 681 days ago, 7/04/20 Sharer's comments : New Pluots in house now @specialtyproduce 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 690 days ago, 6/25/20 Sharer's comments : Dancing Demon Pluotš 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 696 days ago, 6/19/20 Sharer's comments : Dancing demons from Boldt Farms! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 705 days ago, 6/10/20 Sharer's comments : First of the Flavor Supremes from Scott Farms.. 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 705 days ago, 6/10/20 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluots from Scott Farms 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st. San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 709 days ago, 6/06/20 Sharer's comments : Flavorella Pluots from Boldt farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 712 days ago, 6/03/20 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluots in season!! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 717 days ago, 5/29/20 Sharer's comments : Dancing Demon Pluots are in! 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st. San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 717 days ago, 5/29/20 Sharer's comments : Fresh Pluots are in season ! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-351-6203 About 719 days ago, 5/27/20 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluot, gorgeous burgundy fruit from Scott Farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-351-6203 About 726 days ago, 5/20/20 Sharer's comments : First of the Pluots at the market! Flavor Royal from Scott Farms. Should be ready and ripe next week. |
