How to Pick Sweet Plums

Plums are one of the most delicious fruits you can grow in your garden or find at the grocery store. Their sweet, juicy flesh and variety of colors make them a treat to eat fresh or bake into tasty treats While all plums have the potential to be sweet, there are some tricks to picking the absolute sweetest plums every time Follow these simple tips and you’ll be rewarded with mouthwatering plums bursting with flavor.

Check the Color

The color of the plum is the first indicator of ripeness and sweetness. Plums come in shades of red, purple, yellow, green, or a combination. Look for plums with deep, even coloration. Green patches mean the plum was picked too early. Avoid plums with pale or uneven coloring. The richest color signifies peak ripeness and sweetness.

Feel the Firmness

Give plums a gentle squeeze to check their firmness. When pressed, ripe plums should give a little but still feel full. They shouldn’t be hard or mushy. If you want to ripen them at home, they can be a little firm. But to get the sweetest plums, pick ones that give in slightly when you press on them. Overly firm plums will never reach their full sweet potential.

Check for Blemishes

Inspect plums closely for bruises, wrinkles or breaks in the skin. Damage indicates rotting flesh underneath. The skin should be smooth and taut for the juiciest plum. Minor surface blemishes are okay if the rest of the plum feels firm. But major indents or wounds let flavor-diminishing moisture escape.

Smell the Aroma

A ripe, sweet plum will smell fresh and fruity, especially near the stem. Sniff plums at the store or orchard to identify the most fragrant. Little to no scent means an underripe plum without much sugar developed. The sweeter the aroma, the tastier the plum will be.

Feel the Weight

Heft plums in your hand to gauge their ripeness. Sweet, juicy plums will feel heavier than their size suggests. Light plums have lost water, so they won’t taste as sweet or full. Heavy plums still full of water content signal peak ripeness.

Test the Stem Ease

Ripe plums should separate cleanly from branches with minimal effort. If you have to yank or struggle to pick the plum, it isn’t ready. The stem may stick on underripe plums. Easy removal equals ripe and sweet. Gently twist ripe plums to avoid cracking them.

Select Early-Season Varieties

Different kinds of plums ripen at different times in the summer, and the early ones are usually sweeter than the later ones. Santa Rosa, Elephant Heart, and Red Beaut are all popular early sweet varieties. They need less time on the tree to make sugar than autumn varieties that ripen more slowly.

Sample Plums Before Buying

Before you pick plums from an orchard or farm stand, you should try a few samples. That’s the best way to identify the sweetest plums. If you can’t try them all, ask the grower what kinds of sweet plums they like. Describe your preferences and they can steer you right.

Let Tree-Ripened Plums Linger

The longest time on the tree equals the most sugar for plums. Let plums ripen until just shy of falling off the branch. Tree-ripened plums have richer sweetness than plums picked prematurely. Wait as long as possible before harvesting for superior flavor.

Ripen at Room Temperature

If plums were picked early, they’ll continue ripening off the tree to increase sweetness. Keep plums at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Ripening takes 1-3 days. Check daily and refrigerate when ripe. Don’t let them get overripe or they’ll be too soft.

Avoid the Fridge

Refrigerating plums slows the ripening process that develops sugar. Store plums on the counter until ready to eat. Chilling them suppresses flavor. Only refrigerate ripe plums to extend their shelf life by a few days. Cold dulls their sweetness.

Buy from Local Orchards

The shortest time between tree and table means plums reach you at peak ripeness. Visit orchards and farmers markets in plum season and pick same-day harvested plums. Local plums shipped directly from the farm will be the freshest and sweetest.

Select Plums Grown Without Climate Control

Plums grown naturally outdoors have stronger sweetness than greenhouse plums. Extended sunlight and temperature shifts outdoors boosts sugar content. Hothouse plums lack those flavor-elevating conditions. Taste the difference in sun-kissed, old fashioned plums.

Enjoy Heirloom and Heritage Varieties

Try heirloom plums like Green Gage and heritage varieties like Damson for intense sweet-tart flavor. Their genetics predate modern breeding, capturing rich tastes. Sample endangered plum diversity for a flavor burst. The incredible sweetness is worth seeking them out.

With these tips for choosing only the best plums, you’ll be rewarded with delightful sweetness and juicy satisfaction. Always inspect plums carefully, select ripe varieties, and handle them with care. Then relish the sugar-packed taste of this summer treat. Your desserts will shine and snacking will be a pleasure with nature’s candy – sweet, delicious plums!