Description: Plums have a plump, round shape with a depression at the top where the stem attached. Plum skin is very smooth and shiny, and can be red, purple, or yellow.

 

Availability: Summer

 

Facts: Plums are hard-pitted fruits like peaches, nectarines, cherries, and apricots. About 12 plum species are cultivated throughout temperate regions for their fruit and as flowering ornamentals. The common European plum has been cultivated since ancient times and originated near the Caspian Sea. It was introduced into North America, probably by the Pilgrims, and is now mostly cultivated in the western United States, California in particular.

 

Serving Size = 1 CUP

 

Selection: Choose plump plums with smooth skins. Avoid bruises and soft spots.

 

Storage: Store unripe plums in paper bag until ripe. Refrigerate ripe plums.

 

Nutrition Benefits: Fat free; saturated fat free; sodium free; cholesterol free; good source of vitamin C.

 

Pigments: anthocyanins, beta-carotene

 

Phytochemicals: chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic, malic acid

 

ORAC Score: 949