The plum tree is a hardy, deciduous tree grown in much of the world from North America to Europe to Asia.  One variety, the Damask, is thought to have originated in Damascus, while China is thought to be the first country to cultivate the fruit.  Plums are a drupe fruit; like apricots or cherries, they have a groove along one side of their smooth flesh and an inedible stone at their center.  Plum varietals are many, varying in size, color, and the texture of the flesh.  Damask plums are deep blue, Greengage plums, as the name suggests, are green, and Mirabelles are yellow.  The fruit is juicy and ranges in taste from very sweet to quite tart.

Plums are a refreshing fruit to eat raw and they make delicious jams and meat glazes (plum sauce.)  Plums are used in wine and also in the brandy known as Slivovitz, which is kosher and can be drunk by Jews at Passover.  Plums are also used to make baked desserts such as pies, cobblers, and crisps.

Dried plums are known as prunes; the names are interchangeable.  More than 1000 varieties of plums are grown for the purpose of drying them into prunes.  Prunes are among the fruits highest in antioxidants.  They are also very high in fiber and have been used as a home remedy for constipation.

As with plums, they are used in both sweet and savory dishes.  Prunes are featured in compotes and fruit soups as well as in meat stews (like African tagines) and vegetable dishes (such as a Jewish tzimmes.)

Available Plum/Prune Products:

• Plum Juice Concentrate
• Prune Juice Concentrate
• Prune (Dehydrated Plum)