do plums go in the fridge or on the counter

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Plums are sweet, tart, juicy…and extremely perishable. Yes, indeed—this sexy summer stone fruit can make you swoon when perfectly ripe, or just plain sad when you’ve missed the boat. Here, a guide on how to store plums, so you never again have to see one go to waste.

Whole plums should be stored at room temperature until ripened. Once ripe, the plums can be kept whole in a bowl in the refrigerator and covered with Glad® Press n’ Seal wrap. Or, to store cut plums, remove pits and cut fruit into chunks or wedges of desired size.
do plums go in the fridge or on the counter

Pick The Best Plums

Whether you’re picking through plums in the produce aisle or at the farmer’s market, it’s important to make sure you bring home the very best. Needless to say, you should avoid plums that have visible bruises (i.e., discoloration or soft spots). Next, determine how quickly you plan on eating the plums: If you are going to make short work of them, you should seek out ripe fruit, but if it’s going to take you a few days to eat them or you’re buying a large quantity it might make sense to buy a mix of both ripe and unripe fruit.

So how can you tell if a plum is ripe? According to the Michigan Plum Growers Association, “plums that ‘give’ slightly when gently pressed with the side of your thumb are at peak eating enjoyment,” whereas fruit that feels completely firm to the touch will need more time to ripen. (Psst: Plums that give more than just a little are overripe, and are best reserved for use in smoothies or baked goods.)

do plums go in the fridge or on the counter

Store Unripe Plums At Room Temperature

Plums that are firm to the touch will reach peak ripeness in a matter of days when stored at room temperature—just be sure to keep them away from intense, direct sunlight, lest they go straight from unripe to rotten. If you’re feeling impatient, you can accelerate the ripening process by storing unripe plums in a loosely closed paper bag on the countertop for one to two days. The paper bag will trap the ethylene gas emitted by the plums, causing them to ripen faster (so we suggest you check on them regularly).

do plums go in the fridge or on the counter

Plums 101 – Selecting and Storing Fresh Plums

FAQ

Do plums last longer in the fridge or on the counter?

Store ripe plums in the refrigerator. This will keep them in top shape and prevent fast deterioration. Place them in an open plastic bag – not a sealed one. Plums stored in the refrigerator will last two to four weeks. Make sure your refrigerator is clean and free of heavy smells.

What fruit do you not put in the refrigerator?

Fruits that should not be refrigerated include bananas, apples, melons, and berries. Keep in mind that many fruits will ripen more quickly when left at room temperature but will stay fresh longer if refrigerated once ripe.

Should peaches and plums be refrigerated?

Apricots, bananas, cantaloupe, kiwi, nectarines, peaches, pears, plantains, plums and tomatoes continue to ripen after being picked. Ripen fruit at room temperature. Once they are ripe, refrigerate.

Will plums ripen after being refrigerated?

Never put an unripe plum in the fridge, as it will not ripen there, and the cold climate can damage its taste and texture. Even ripe plums lose a little of their je ne sais quoi when stored in the fridge. Nevertheless, the ice box is the best solution if you need a little more time to eat your perfectly ripened plums.

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