A ripe plum will be very sweet, flavorful, and juicy. A less ripe plum will have no sweetness. Feel and texture: Ripe plums are soft and “give” when pressed. An overripe plum will be very soft and squishy (and splat on the ground).
How to Store Plums:
- Store unripened plums at room temperature to ripen. Place in paper bag to speed up the process, but check frequently because they are extremely perishable.
- Once ripe, transfer plums to the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to Select Plums:
- Plums should be plump and well-colored.
- To find a ripe plum, hold one in the palm of your hand. It should feel heavy and yield to gentle pressure.
- Avoid plums with shriveled skin, mushy spots or breaks in the skin.
13 Amazing Health Benefits of Plums That Will Surprise You
FAQ
What does a good plum look like?
How do you pick a good plum from the store?
Should plums be soft or hard?
How do you know if a plum is ready to eat?
It’s best to only pick a couple of plums to see if they’re truly ready. Check the plums for give, see if they easily twist off the branch, and then taste them. If you’re happy with their current level of sweetness, then you can keep picking as many as you’d like. Just remember that plums may go bad after just 3 days on the counter.
Are plums healthy to eat?
Plums are a nutritious and delicious stone fruit that are a good source of vitamins A, C, K, and folate. Consumption of plums and other plant foods that contain compounds called flavonoids(flavan-3-ols and anthocyanidins in particular) can be beneficial for both metabolic and cardiovascular health according to evidence from accumulating randomized controlled trials. Plums are also considered a low glycemic index and low glycemic load fruit. In other words, eating one or two small plums would not cause a spike in blood sugar neither in healthy individuals nor in those with diabetes or pre-diabetes. However, a serving of dried plums(prunes) is a more concentrated source of sugar and calories than fresh plums and some caution not to over-consume dried plums should be taken.
How do you know if a plum is poem-worthy?
Stick to the season of you want poem-worthy plums. Whether you’re at a grocery store or a farm stand, go for plums that have blemish-free, wrinkle-free skin. They should feel heavy for their size, and firm. The flower end (the end opposite the stem) should have a little give when gently pressed.
How do you know if a plum is ripe?
Yellow plums will take on a golden hue when ripe. Ripe plums should give slightly to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe peach. If a plum feels rock-hard, it needs more time to ripen. On the other hand, if the plum feels very soft or mushy, it might be overripe. Ripe plums feel heavy for their size, indicating they’re juicy and ready to be enjoyed.