Contact Us: Email | 24/7 Customer Service 1-800-381-0759
Over 3 million customers served since 1994
Same Day Shipping, $4.99* on any size order
Healthnotes Index:
Search Healthnotes:

Plums

Also indexed as: Casselman Plums, Damson Plums, El Dorado Plums, Elephant Heart Plums, European Plums, Greengage Plums, Japanese Plums, Laroda Plums, Mirabelle Plums, Santa Rosa Plums

Illustration

Preparation, uses, and tips

Plums are delightful eaten fresh, and can be stewed, used in jams and jellies, or made into compotes, puddings, pies, and cakes. Like pineapple, they are the sweet component of sweet-and-sour sauces, such as hoisin sauce, and are often served with meats. They can also be added to stuffing and stews. Use plums as a substitute in recipes calling for cherries. Mirabelle and prunelle plums are distilled commercially to make wine and brandy.

Buying and storing tips

Choose plums that are tender to the touch and that have smooth, uniform skin. Look for those that retain the “bloom,” a natural powder-like haze covering the fruit, since these are likely to have received the least handling. When plums are picked before they are ripe, they can be ripened at room temperature, or placed in a paper bag with an unripe banana for a day or two. In the refrigerator, ripe plums keep for about four days.

Varieties

Among the leading plum varieties are the European plum, which is medium-sized and dark blue to red, with a thick skin and dull yellow flesh. This variety is often dried into prunes. The Japanese plum can be purple, scarlet, or yellowish-green and is sweet and juicy. Damson and Mirabelle plums make delicious jam but are quite tart. Over 35 percent of the California plum harvest is of the Santa Rosa variety. Casselman, Elephant Heart, El Dorado, Greengage, and Laroda are other popular varieties.

Nutrition Highlights

Plum, 1 fruit (raw)
Calories: 36
Protein: 0.52g
Carbohydrate: 8.6g
Total Fat: 0.41g
Fiber: 1.0g
*Good source of: Vitamin C (6.2mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.




*The information in this newsletter is for educational use only. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult your healthcare practitioner if you believe you may have any of the signs or symptoms discussed above before using any of the nutrients discussed.

You should also consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
1-800-381-0759
HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime. 5 Star Guarantee Internet Retailer Top 500 E-Retailer Inc. 500 Award Winner & Hall of Fame Member
Copyright © 2008 Vitacost.com. All rights reserved • Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitacost.com or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
Prices and promotions are subject to change without notice.
Atl7