Plums are known for their delicious, juicy sweet interior and tart skin. They are of the genus Prunus, which includes trees that produce cherries, peaches, apricots, almonds, plums and nectarines. They thrive in Georgia’s warm climate and are one of the many tasty fruits available at Jaemor Farms.
Ripening
It is difficult to tell if a plum is ripe by observing only its color. A combination of texture, firmness, and scent will help you determine when plums are at their sweetest. Plums generally develop a light white coating on their skin when they are ripe. If applying gentle pressure with a finger leaves a light indent, the fruit is likely ready to eat. A subtle sweet scent is another indicator of a plum’s ripeness.
Plums will ripen quickest at room temperatures between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 68 degrees will slow the ripening process, and temperatures above 77 degrees will cause the plum to develop a less-than-ideal taste.
Quick Ripening
If you just can’t wait to bite into a deliciously ripe plum, you can place them in a paper bag and roll the top closed. Leave the bag in a room temperature environment and use the indicators described above to determine when the plums are in their prime.
This works because plums release ethylene gas as they ripen, which quickens the ripening process further. Trapping them in a bag allows them to absorb more of the gas, which means you get ripe plums in less time.
Storage
Once plums are ripe, they are best kept in a crisp section of the refrigerator. The cool temperature will prevent rot and overripening and potentially allow your plums to last for weeks.
Nutritional Information
On average, one plum has 76 calories, 19 grams of carbohydrates and 16 grams of sugar. A plum provides 26 percent of Vitamin C and 11 percent Vitamin A.
Recipes
Plums can complement all kinds of mouthwatering recipes. These are a few ideas for crafting a plum masterpiece:
- Plum upside-down cake
- Plum cupcakes
- Plum and nectarine compote
- Plum pie
- Plum shortcakes
- Plum popsicles
If you’d like to purchase some fresh plums, or if you have any questions about Jaemor Farms, please contact us today!