




Sugar Plums
Inventory, 20 lbs : 0
This item was last sold on : 09/19/21
Food Buzz: History of Plums | |
Food Fable: Plums |
Description/Taste
The Sugar plum is large oblong-shaped variety, often exhibiting a powdery white bloom on its otherwise purplish-blue skin. The thin snappy skin encases a firm yet juicy flesh that holds a central pit that is easily removed. When raw, the pulp is a greenish amber color, but turns a deep shade of fuchsia when cooked. The dense texture of the Sugar plum is full of rich, complex and appropriately confectionary sweet flavors that deepen as the fruit ripens.
Seasons/Availability
Sugar plums are available during the summer.
Current Facts
The Sugar plum is plum is a stone fruit cultivar within the genus, Prunus, which includes cherries, apricots, peaches and almonds. Sugar plum is the given name to a variety of self-pollinating Italian plums. The Italian plum, botanical name Prunica domestica, is the freestone fruit that is responsible for prunes. The name given to the sugar plum essentially is an indicator of its sugar content. Its ability to create a high concentration of fermenting sugars makes the sugar plum the ideal candidate to create prunes. In addition to direct consumption, it is also a commercial fruit crop used for the processing industry of cheeses and distilled alcohols, including brandy and wine.
Nutritional Value
Sugar plums are a good source of potassium, calcium, phosphate, vitamin C and B complex vitamins which have a great importance to the process of metabolism and nervous system health. Their deeply pigmented skins are a good source of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Applications
Although most Sugar plums are dried to a prune state, they are considered a multi-purpose plum. They are great for fresh eating, for using as a dessert ingredient, processed into jam and preserve form and simply added to sweet and savory salads. Complimentary sweet flavors include vanilla, nutmeg, tropical fruits, chocolate, butter and citrus. Savory pairings include mild fresh cheeses such as chevre and ricotta, herbs such as arugula, chiles, fennel and basil, bacon, lamb and grilled seafood such as shrimp and scallops. To store, refrigerate ripe fruit for up to one week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Sugar plums are known as quetsche in France and other parts of Europe. They also go by the name of Italian prune plums, or Empress plums, or simply prune plums.
Geography/History
There are three different classifications of plums: Japanese, European and American. Italian plums are a European plum and native to the Mediterranean coastal regions of Italy. They thrive in arid climates where winter time temperatures are cool but not cold and the summer season is long, warm and dry. Though plums adapt to a wide variety of growing regions, growing seasons require minimal humidity and rainfall to prevent disease and encourage fruit development.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sugar Plums. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Sugar Plums using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 501 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Sugar plums from penryn orchard specialties ![]() ![]()
Johnson Family Farm
Near Hendersonville, North Carolina, United StatesHendersonville NC About 573 days ago, 7/06/21 Sharer's comments : Local sugar plums!! |