Plums are a sweet summertime treat. The fruit is often used in baking and can be used to make jam, juice, and wine. Dried plums are called prunes and are also a delicious snack. But did you know that plums can be pickled? Check out more pleasant plum facts.
- Plums are the second most cultivated fruit in the world.
- The fruit is grown on every continent except Antarctica.
- Plums grow best in temperate areas.
- The fruit can grow in many colors such as purple, reddish purple, yellow, red, green, or white.
- The fruit grows on trees.
- Some trees can reach 20 to 33 feet tall.
- The trees blossom at different times in different places across the globe. In the United Kingdom, the trees blossom in early April. In Taiwan, the trees blossom in January.
- The European plum originated around 2,000 years ago near the Caspian Sea.
- The Japanese plum was first grown in China thousands of years ago. It was then developed in Japan and introduced to the rest of the world.
- It is unknown how many species of plum exist. Some say there are 19 species while others say there are 40 species.
- The most common varieties of plum are the Damson, Greengage, Yellowgage, Victoria plum, Satsuma plum, and Mirabelle plum.
- Mirabelle plums are grown in France.
- A large amount of the Damson plum is grown in Hungary.
- Plums are in season from May to early October.
- All parts of the fruit, except for the pit, are edible.
- The fruit is soften once picked.
- The fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Plums are related to apricots, peaches, apples, cherries, raspberries, pears, almonds, and strawberries.
- The color “plum” is named after the fruit.
- Plums symbolize good fortune in Chinese culture.
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Written by Abigail Tomalewski, Marketing Assistant
Sources:
Kiddle
Facts Legend
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