Some of the colors of plum include green, purple, red and yellow. The plum color you are likely to be more familiar with is purple, but what do these plums taste like?
The overriding flavor of a plum is sweet but it also has a tart edge to it. However, the exact flavor really depends on the variant of plum that it is.
If you are intrigued by the taste of a plum, then you have come to the right place. Here we shall take a look at what plums taste like, and whether plums taste good.
You will also learn about some of the different plum variants too, and see how the tastes of the plums differ from each other.
What Are Plums?
Plums are known as one of the first ever fruits that were cultivated by humans. They are sweet and tangy, and are very juicy too – especially when ripe.
They are small and oval, and are often picked between the months of August and October when peak season for them is high. They grow on plum trees, and are easy to pick. This makes it a great activity to do as a family.
The skin on the plum is very thin and easy to bite through, while the inside of a plum has a soft flesh. It can be very, very soft when it is at the latter end of its life. However, you will want to eat it during the stage of ripening to eat it at its best.
There are around 11 different variants of plum, and each one has its own taste and color. They are also packed full of nutrients, making them a great addition to your day.
Are Plums The Same As Prunes?
Prunes are essentially dried plums. However, while prunes are a form of dried plum, not every plum variant is suitable to be dried.
The type which is often used to create prunes is the European plum, and more specifically the moyer plum. This plum is a smaller variety of plum which suits being turned into a prune.
There are other plum varieties that are turned into prunes across the globe. However, prunes do have a different taste to plums, so if you are not a fan of prunes, don’t think that you might not like a plum.
A plum is juicy and often refreshing, while prunes are dry and have a rich flavor.
Are There Health Benefits To Eating Plums?
Plums are very nutritious. They contain vitamin C and K, lots of antioxidants, and are a soluble form of fiber.
You will also find the likes of potassium, copper, and manganese within plums which are beneficial for overall body health.
Plums are also a natural laxative, which can help with digestion.
What Do Plums Taste Like?
If you eat a plum that is ripe, you will be met with a juicy and sweet taste. If you eat the plum before it is ripe, the flavor will still have a sweet undertone, but you will also experience a tart and tangy flavor too.
The skin on a plum does tend to stay tart, so you may experience a sweet and sour flavor combination. However, if you would prefer to only eat the sweet part of the plum, peel off the skin.
However, it does all depend on the type of plum that you are eating when it comes to its actual taste.
What Are The Different Types Of Plum?
There are two types of classification when it comes to plums and these are Japanese and European.
If you are wondering what the most common types of plum are and how they taste, then read on to find out:
Damson Plum
The Damson plum is a European variety of plum and is purple in color and round in shape. This is a commonly eaten plum that is sold in many grocery stores.
Despite the Damson plum having a very high sugar content, its skin is very bitter and there is an acidity to the overall taste.
Often people like to eat this variety of plum when it is getting to its over ripe stage. This is because it’ll be sweeter rather than bitter.
Greengage Plum
The greengage plum is an interesting piece of fruit due to changing color once it matures. It becomes yellow in its later life, which makes it a very attractive fruit.
It has a high sugar content, and also tastes very sweet. For this reason it is used to make cakes, jams, pies and even ice cream.
You may not want to eat this sweet tasting fruit as a casual snack – unless you enjoy sweet foods.
Moyer Plum
The Moyer is a European plum that is one of the best varieties within the European type. It is a little different from the other plums due to having an elongated form, rather than round.
Usually referred to as being a sugar plum due to it being very sweet, it is often used to make prunes. This is because the drying process brings out its rich and sweet flavor even more.
Elephant Heart Plum
The Elephant Heart plum is a Japanese variant of plum, and is rather large. Its color can range from a deep red to a beautiful purple.
It looks like a heart, yet tastes sweet and tangy at the same time. It is also very juicy and enjoyed by many.
How Can You Cook And Serve Plums?
Plums are a fantastic type of fruit because you can buy them from the grocery store or pick your own. Either way, always wash them (and other fruit) before eating.
A plum can be served in many ways. If you don’t want to eat a plum as-is, you can also add plums to dishes and recipes too.
For example, you can create plum sauce (which is delicious on meat) or make plum pickle. You can also add plum to a salsa dip.
Plums can also be made into prunes at home, or you can add the juicy and sweet fruit to salads.
Final Thoughts
Plums are a great fruit to eat due to their health benefits, but also because they are naturally sweet with a tangy edge.
There are different plum varieties however, and this can change its overall taste. Some are sweeter than others, while another might have a bitter tasting skin.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
