Plums are seasonal fruit that ripen in summer and have a balanced sweet-tart flavor. They can be eaten fresh or dried for longer storage. Because they contain antioxidants and vitamins, plums are often highlighted as part of a varied diet. This guide covers plum varieties, selection and storage, and ways to use them in the kitchen.
Plum Varieties
Red, purple, yellow, and green plums vary in color and tartness. They can be eaten fresh or used to make compote and jam. Their tart flavor can also add contrast to fruit plates and fruit sauces. Choose a variety based on the color and flavor you want in a recipe.
Choosing Plums in Season
Plums with intact skins can vary in tartness depending on ripeness. Flavor also varies by variety and maturity; plums can be served fresh or added to compote. These qualities make plums a convenient snack between meals.
Ways to Use Plums
Enjoy plums fresh or use them in compote and jam. A plum eaten with its skin provides more fiber than a peeled one, so leave the skin on when possible.
How to Choose Plums
A ripe plum should yield slightly when pressed but should not feel mushy. A thin, whitish coating on the skin is considered a sign of freshness. A green, firm stem suggests the fruit was picked recently; avoid plums that are wrinkled or spotted. Smell can also indicate ripeness: a light, sweet aroma near the stem suggests the plum is ready to eat. A hard, odorless plum may not yet be ripe. Buying fruit at different stages of ripeness can help it ripen over several days instead of all at once and may reduce waste.
How to Store Plums
Leave unripe plums at room temperature for a few days to ripen. Once ripe, they can stay fresh for about 1 week in the refrigerator. For longer storage, remove the pits and freeze the plums, or dry them. Plums can be dried in the sun or in a low-temperature oven. Leave space between the fruit so air can circulate and help prevent mold. Dried plums can be kept for months in an airtight jar.
Serve plums fresh or cooked; their flavor changes with ripeness. Eating them fresh and in season is described as advantageous for flavor and nutritional value. Dried plums are more calorie-dense than fresh ones, so pay attention to portion size when eating them as a snack; a few dried plums are generally enough.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about your health.
A Note for Readers
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your doctor before making any decision about your health.