Green Plum

What Is Green Plum?

Green plum is the fruit of the plum tree at its still-unripe stage. Unlike the ripe plum, it has a firm texture with an intensely sour and slightly astringent taste; its pit is also still soft and not fully developed.

In Turkey it appears in markets for a short period in spring; this fleeting availability makes it a seasonal delicacy and an eagerly awaited herald of spring.

Nutritional Value of Green Plum

100 grams of green plum contains about 30 kcal of energy; compared to the ripe plum it has lower sugar, higher organic acid, and a moderate-to-high amount of vitamin C. Values vary with ripeness and are approximate.

How Should Green Plum Be Consumed?

Green plum is consumed as part of a balanced diet, as a fruit-group food, in moderate amounts.

This information is general; green plum is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment. Due to its intense sourness, people with stomach sensitivity are advised to eat it in moderation.

How to Choose Green Plum?

A good green plum is one with a vivid green color, a firm-crunchy texture, and no bruises or blemishes on the surface. Ones that have turned yellowish-soft have begun to ripen.

• The color should be vivid green, not yellowish-faded
• The texture should be firm and not cave in when pressed
• The surface should have no bruise or rot marks

How to Store Green Plum?

Green plum keeps its freshness in the refrigerator for a few days; left at room temperature, it quickly ripens and softens, losing its characteristic firmness.

Using Green Plum in the Kitchen

Green plum is most often eaten raw and salted as a snack, used in certain regional salads and sour dishes; in some regions it is also made into jam and pickles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between green plum and ripe plum?

They are different ripeness stages of the same fruit; green plum is firm-sour and eaten with salt, while ripe plum is soft-sweet and eaten directly raw or as jam.

Why is green plum eaten salted?

Salt balances the fruit's intense sourness and brings out its flavor more distinctly; this is a well-established traditional way of eating it in Turkey.

Is the green plum pit eaten?

No; even though the pit is not yet hard, it is not eaten, and is discarded after being separated from the flesh.