Facts about Plums

1. 12

   Stone hardness in plum pits reaches approximately 1,000 to 1,500 Vickers hardness units, making them among the most durable seed structures in commercial fruit production.

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2. 11

   Approximately 80 percent of California's plum crop is harvested between June and August, with peak ripeness occurring when fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure and develops full sugar content.

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3. 10

   Damson plums, a small dark variety native to Damascus, Syria, contain approximately 2.3 grams of fiber per 100 grams of fruit, making them particularly valued for natural digestive health benefits.

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4. 09

   Over 2,000 plum cultivars exist worldwide, with approximately 100 varieties commercially cultivated across North America, Europe, and Asia for fresh markets and processing.

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5. 08

   Victorias and Stanley plums, two popular North American cultivars developed in the 1800s, have a shelf life of 3 to 5 days at room temperature before softening significantly.

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6. 07

   The flesh of plums contains about 87 percent water by weight, making them one of the juiciest stone fruits available commercially.

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7. 06

   A single plum tree can produce between 30 to 50 pounds of fruit annually under optimal growing conditions, with peak productivity typically occurring between years 3 and 15 of the tree's lifespan.

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8. 05

   Japanese plum varieties like Methley and Santa Rosa can self-pollinate, whereas most European plum cultivars require cross-pollination from a compatible second tree to set fruit.

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9. 04

   Plum skin contains anthocyanins, pigments that provide their purple and blue coloration and contain antioxidants with measurable free radical scavenging capacity of approximately 4.5 to 8.5 millimoles per 100 grams.

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10. 03

    Prunes, the dried form of European plums, contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol comprising approximately 15 percent of their weight by dry matter.

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11. 02

    European plum trees require a chilling period of 600 to 900 hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during winter to produce fruit successfully.

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12. 01

    In 2023, China produced approximately 11.5 million metric tons of plums, accounting for nearly 65 percent of global plum production.

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