How you store plums is best determined by the age, condition and ripeness of the fruit. A plum that has not fully ripened is best left at room temperature, while one that is very ripe would need to be kept cold to prevent spoilage.
Without some knowledge of the many varieties of plums on the market today, it can be difficult to determine how ripe a certain piece of fruit is. Since plums are available in colors ranging from dark blue to orange-yellow, ripeness is not determined by color alone.
To learn correctly store individual varieties of plums, it is helpful to know something about each type, what to look for when selecting the fruit, tell if it is in season, and judge it's level of ripeness.
Types
The plum is a drupe (a variety of fruit which has a pit or stone) and is in the same family as the apricot, and nectarine. There are more than 200 varieties of plums. These are grown and cultivated all around the world, on every continent except Antarctica. There are several varieties of plum, however, which are most commonly available in North America.
Damson, or Damask Plums have a higher acid content than other varieties, and are easily distinguished by their dark blue to purple skin. Some varieties of Damsons are considered to be "bitter" or "sour plums" which are not suited to eating right off the tree. Damsons have a smooth, yellow-green colored flesh. They are in season from late August to early September.
Greengage plums have a rich, sweet flavor, which makes them appealing as a dessert fruit. As the name suggests, they can be identified by the smooth, yellow to bright green colored skin. The Greengage is considered an early plum, and is generally harvested from mid to late summer.
Mirabelle plums have sweet, smooth textured flesh beneath a dark yellow to almost orange colored skin. The Mirabelle plum is commonly used for drying for prunes. It is best purchased between July and September to ensure that the fruit has been recently harvested.
Geography
Plums grow best in mild climates. Recommended growing areas are in zones 5 through 8 on the USDA Hardiness Zones Map. Depending on where you live, plums may not be grown locally, but imported from other areas of the country. This can have an impact on whether the plums you purchase in the store are freshly picked or have already been kept in cold storage.
How long it has been since the plum was harvested and kept in storage are two important factors to consider when determining store the fruit at home, as well as predicting how long it will last.
Size
Plums range in size from 3 to 6 cm, with the European (purple and blue skinned) varieties being generally smaller than Japanese varieties. The size of the fruit when it is purchased can indicate either over or under ripeness, depending on the variety. A fruit that is smaller than other specimens of its type may have been picked before reaching peak ripeness, while a fruit that seems overly large may already be spoiling. Selecting fruit that is in the mid-range, neither overly large, or overly small, is usually the best way to you are getting a good specimen.
Considerations
Plums are high in carbohydrates and low in fat and cholesterol, as are most fruits. They also contain a significant amount of vitamins A and C. Unlike some other fruits, plums are also considered to be good source of fiber, and can aid both in digestion and bowel function. You will also find that plums are a reasonably good source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
How the fruit is stored, as well as how long it is to be kept can have a great impact on the nutritional value. Nutrients such as vitamin C and carotenoids are gradually lost during storage. This process can be accelerated by certain factors such as exposure to light and to both low and high temperatures.
Prevention/Solution
Test plums for ripeness by pressing gently against the skin with the thumb. If the flesh feels tender, the plum is ready to be used. A plum that is very firm to the touch should be placed in a paper bag to keep out light and left to ripen for a day or two at room temperature.
If you are unable to use ripe plums right away, they should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Ripe plums can last for up to two weeks at 31 to 32 degrees F. Plums that are to be refrigerated should not be cut or sliced before placing in the refrigerator. They should be kept whole in an air tight container.
Frozen plums can keep for 6 months or more if properly prepared before freezing. While frozen plums will not be suited to eating whole after thawing, they will serve well for jellies, jams, pies and other baked goods.
To freeze plums wash and dry them, then place in an airtight container, leaving about an inch air space at the top.
You may also choose to slice or chop the fruit before freezing. Pack cut fruit into airtight containers and place them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
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