




Pluots
Inventory, 18 lbs : 0
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 fruit’s 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 fruit’s 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 Burbank’s 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 Burbank’s 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

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 States1929 Hancock st, #150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://www.specialtyproduce.com About 233 days ago, 10/13/22 Sharer's comments : October Sun Pluots From Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st, #150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://www.specialtyproduce.com About 233 days ago, 10/13/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rich Pluots From Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st, #150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://www.specialtyproduce.com About 233 days ago, 10/13/22 Sharer's comments : September Yummy Pluots From Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 237 days ago, 10/09/22 ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 258 days ago, 9/18/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st, #150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://www.specialtyproduce.com About 262 days ago, 9/14/22 Sharer's comments : Honey Punch Pluots From Scott Farms In Santa Monica, California ![]() ![]()
Heritage Family Farm
Near Poway, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 273 days ago, 9/03/22 ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near Poway, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 273 days ago, 9/03/22 Sharer's comments : Emerald Beauty Pluots!! ![]() ![]()
Choice Produce & Peppers
Near Seattle, Washington, United States1514 Pike Pl. No. 4 Seattle WA 98101 206-623-9920 About 282 days ago, 8/24/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor grenade pluot! ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 286 days ago, 8/21/22 Sharer's comments : September Yummy Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
Kens Top Notch Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 287 days ago, 8/20/22 Sharer's comments : Green Emerald Pluots from Kens Top Notch Produce ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 293 days ago, 8/14/22 ![]() About 308 days ago, 7/29/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 313 days ago, 7/25/22 Sharer's comments : Emerald Drop Pluots from Nicholas Boldt Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 313 days ago, 7/25/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor King Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 313 days ago, 7/25/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor Queen Pluots from Kens Top Notch ![]() ![]() About 327 days ago, 7/11/22 Sharer's comments : Dancing Demon Pluots from Nicholas Boldt Farms ![]() ![]() About 327 days ago, 7/11/22 Sharer's comments : Ebony Rose Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]() About 327 days ago, 7/11/22 Sharer's comments : Honey Punch Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 328 days ago, 7/10/22 Sharer's comments : Dino egg pluots!! ![]() ![]() About 330 days ago, 7/08/22 Sharer's comments : Dancing Demon Pluot Now Available!! ![]() ![]() About 334 days ago, 7/04/22 Sharer's comments : Jack One Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]() About 334 days ago, 7/04/22 Sharer's comments : Emerald Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
Hamlow Ranches
Near Poway, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair, CA 209-664-1447 About 343 days ago, 6/25/22 ![]() ![]() About 346 days ago, 6/22/22 ![]() ![]()
Tenerelli Orchards
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 350 days ago, 6/18/22 Sharer's comments : Pluots from Tenerelli Orchards ![]() ![]()
Scott Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 360 days ago, 6/08/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluot from Scott Farms ![]() ![]() About 370 days ago, 5/29/22 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]() About 576 days ago, 11/04/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Fall Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]() About 583 days ago, 10/28/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Fall Pluots from Scoot Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street Suite 150 619-295-3172 About 583 days ago, 10/28/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Gator or Sangria Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
R&L Farms
Near 4S Ranch Pkwy S & Rancho Bernardo Rd, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 589 days ago, 10/22/21 Sharer's comments : Part plum, part apricot, all delicious!! ![]() ![]()
Kens Top Notch Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 609 days ago, 10/02/21 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 611 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : September Yummy Pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 611 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Gator Pluot from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 611 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : October sun pluots from Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 611 days ago, 9/30/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Fall Pluots Scott Farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 625 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Emerald drop pluot from Fitzgerald farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 625 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor fall pluots from Scott farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 625 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : October sun pluots from Scott farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 625 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : Candy stripe pluot from Scott farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 625 days ago, 9/16/21 Sharer's comments : September yummy pluots from Scott farms ![]() ![]()
R&L Farms
Near San Marcos, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 626 days ago, 9/14/21 ![]() ![]()
Kiyokawa Family Orchards
Near Milwaukie, Oregon, United StatesParkdale, WA About 642 days ago, 8/29/21 Sharer's comments : PLUERRIES!!! A hybrid plum + cherry!!! ![]() ![]()
Fair Hills Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 644 days ago, 8/28/21 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 649 days ago, 8/23/21 Sharer's comments : Candy Stripe Pluots ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 649 days ago, 8/23/21 ![]() ![]()
Heritage Family Farm
Near Poway, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 651 days ago, 8/21/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Gernade💥 pluots - so so sweet and juicy! ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 654 days ago, 8/17/21 Sharer's comments : The beloved Dino egg pluot 💕 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 659 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor rich pluots ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 659 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Dapple dandy pluots ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 659 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor king pluots ![]() ![]()
Hamlow Ranches
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair, CA 209-664-1447 About 664 days ago, 8/08/21 Sharer's comments : Also playfully known as dinosaur eggs for its speckles round shape 🙃 ![]() About 675 days ago, 7/28/21 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 716 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa pluots from Murray family farms ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 716 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Dapple dandy pluots from Murray family farms ![]() ![]() About 716 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Flavor Rosa Pluot! ![]() ![]() About 716 days ago, 6/17/21 Sharer's comments : Dapple Dandy Pluot ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 726 days ago, 6/07/21 |