Plum Buying Guide: The Juicy Jewel of Summer

Nature’s Sweet-Tart Powerhouse

Plums are nature’s perfect snack-sized treat—no peeling, no cutting, just wash and bite (mind the pit!). These pocket-sized fruits pack a flavor punch that ranges from honey-sweet to pleasantly tart, all wrapped in a thin, edible skin.

Fun Fact: That dusty white coating? It’s called bloom—a natural wax that protects the fruit. Don’t wash it off until you’re ready to eat!

The Plum Variety Breakdown 🔴🟣🟡🟢

There are many varieties. Below are some of the more well-known ones. Your local farmers might be growing specialty heirloom plums. Your supermarkets might also import certain varieties when they are in season.

Another thing to note is that many supermarkets would not label with the names below. If it’s not a specialty breed, they might simply label the plums based on their color such as “red plum” or “asian plum”. The best way to learn is to taste each one yourself. Your local supermarket will have some staple local varieties and then occasionally mix it up with imports.

While the colors and shapes may be different, the taste can sometimes be more subtly different as most of them will taste sweet with a similar texture.

The firmness of the meat often has more to do with the ripeness of the plum rather than the variety though of course there will be differences.

🔴 Santa Rosa (Sweetness: 3.5/5)

• Flesh: Yellow with red streaks
• Flavor: Tart skin, sweet flesh
• Origin Story: Bred in California, 1906 – America’s most popular plum

🟣 Black Amber (Sweetness: 4/5)

• Flesh: Golden yellow
• Flavor: Rich honey with floral notes
• Origin Story: Japanese variety brought to U.S. in 1920s

❤️ Elephant Heart (Sweetness: 4.5/5)

• Flesh: Deep crimson
• Flavor: Berry-like intensity
• Origin Story: California heirloom dating to 1929

🟡 Mirabelle (Sweetness: 5/5)

• Flesh: Golden yellow
• Flavor: Candy-sweet
• Origin Story: French protected specialty since 15th century

🟢 Greengage (Sweetness: 4/5)

• Flesh: Emerald green
• Flavor: Floral honey
• Origin Story: Named after 18th century English grower

How to Pick Perfect Plums 🔍

The Bloom Factor

That natural white coating (bloom) is:
✅ Good: Sign of gentle handling
✅ Protective: Keeps fruit fresh longer
❌ Not Mold: Wipes off easily
❌ Not Pesticides: Wax is matte, not shiny

Selection Checklist:

✅ Heavy for size = juicy
✅ Slight give at blossom end
✅ Intact bloom (when possible)

Avoid: 🚫

🚫 Hard = underripe (won’t sweeten)
🚫 Wrinkles = overripe
🚫 Juice stains = internal bruising

Storage Tips 🧊

• Countertop: Ripen in paper bag 1-3 days
• Fridge: Ripe plums last 5 days
• Washing: Only when ready to eat (to preserve bloom)

Why Plums Rule 🌟

1. Snack-Perfect
   • No prep needed (just wash!)
   • Portable size
   • Self-contained (no sticky juices)
2. Gut-Friendly
   • Natural laxative properties
   • 1 plum = 1g fiber
3. Vitamin Boost
   • High in vitamin C
   • Antioxidant-rich skins

Global Sip Fun Fact:
Koreans make maesil-ju and Japanese brew umeshu—sweet-tart plum wines traditionally enjoyed as digestive aids.