Plum is a stone fruit ( a fleshy fruit with a stone inside like cherry or peach) also known as a drupe. Rich in vitamin C, ripe plums can be reddish to purple in color.
Native to Asia, plums are fleshy spherical fruits having sweet to tart taste. Ripe plum has a smooth slippery skin which holds on to the flesh firmly. The shiny skin is because of ‘epicuticular’ wax also known as wax bloom.
The average diameter of a plum is 6 – 7 cm (2.3 – 2.7 inches). The average weight of a plum is 70 – 80 grams ( 2.4 to 2.8 ounces).
Scientific name of Plums
Prunus Domestica
Other names of Plums
- Plume
- Prūnum
- Pruna
- Drupe
Calories by source in Plums
- Calories by carbohydrate in Plums = 89%
- Calories by fat in Plums = 5%
- Calories by protein in Plums = 6%
Fats and Fatty Acid profile of Plums
- Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in Plums = 22%
- Saturated fat (SFA) in Plums = 9%
- Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) in Plums = 69%
Nutrition facts of Plums
*Serving size = 100 grams = 3.55 Ounces = 1/2 cup
*DV= % Daily Value (%DV indicates how much nutrients contribute to a person’s daily diet from a serving of a food. DV assists you in determining whether or not a serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient.)
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit | DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 46 | KCAL | |
| Fat | 0.28 | GRAM | 0% |
| Protein | 0.7 | GRAM | 1% |
| Carbohydrate | 11.42 | GRAM | 4% |
Detailed vitamin profile of Plums, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, and Riboflavin is shown in the chart.
Detailed mineral profile of Plums, Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), Selenium(Se), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K) and Zinc(Zn) is shown the chart.
Check freshness in Plums
- Undamaged skin without bruises and blemishes
- Avoid plum with any soft pit or light brown spot
- A ripe plum has a reddish purple color
- Unripe plums have a green or yellow color
- Depending on the geographical location, some of the ripe plums have a faint yellow patch which is completely fine
- Look for plums which are firm and slightly soft near the stem and tip
- There is a faint powdery residue on the surface of the plum, which signifies minimum handling of the fruit while being transferred from farm to the market
- Too soft plums are overripe
- Unripe plums are hard to the touch
Availability of Plums
- The Seasons of plum depend on the geographical location
- India – Plum season ranges from April – June
- USA – Plum season ranges from May – October
- Netherlands – Plum season ranges from January – April
- China – Plum season ranges from June – August
How to store Plums
- Unripe plums can be stored in room temperature in plastic or paper bag till they ripen (generally takes 2-3 days)
- Ripe plum stored in room temperature will last for 2-3 days at room temperature (cooler climate will provide room temperature life of 3 days)
- Refrigerated ripe plum can last for a week
- Unripe plums when stored in the fridge ill start tasting bitter
- You can freeze the plums. Plums stored in the freezer can last for 5-6 months
Complete nutrition facts of Plums
Click on the link HERE to download high quality, high resolution and print ready PDF version of the Plums nutrition chart/infographic.
