40 Interesting Facts About Plums

Many people enjoy plums that ripen at the end of summer. The juicy purple fruits promise a true gastronomic delight with just one bite! But why only purple? Plums come in a variety of colors, as breeders have long developed many different varieties, and the work continues even today. Of course, plums are less popular than some other fruits and berries, but they still have plenty of admirers.

Facts About Plums

1. Strangely enough, plums are considered a symbol of winter in China.
2. A plum tree can live for about 25-30 years on average, but it will only bear fruit for 10-15 years of that time.
3. Plums are used to make both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, such as wine.
4. It is strongly advised not to plant tomatoes or potatoes near plum trees, as these plants attract a fungus that is deadly to plum trees.
5. On the Balkan Peninsula, there was an ancient tradition that a person seeking absolution from a priest should plant a plum tree by the roadside. This is why so many plums are still growing everywhere in Balkan countries like Albania and Serbia.
6. Plums do not occur in the wild. They first appeared about 2,000 years ago as a result of crossing sloe and cherry plum.
7. Regular consumption of plums in moderation helps significantly lower blood cholesterol levels.
8. Plum fruits are rich in many minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and others, as well as vitamins A, C, E, B-group, P, PP, and K.
9. Plums are quite a powerful natural laxative. To achieve the desired effect, just eat 5-7 plums before bedtime.
10. The most popular type of plum in the world is the so-called domestic plum. This variety accounts for about 90% of all plum trees worldwide.
11. Gardeners around the world have long been crossbreeding plums with apricots. Such a hybrid is called a plumcot, and a hybrid of a plumcot and a plum is called a pluot. You could say that plums are crossbred with other plants almost as actively as peaches or tangerines.
12. In folk medicine, not only the fruits but also the leaves of the plum are widely used. For example, compresses with crushed plum leaves have a disinfecting effect and promote the healing of wounds on the skin.
13. Queen Elizabeth II of England is known for eating plums from her garden every morning.
14. Plums are now grown in almost all countries with a temperate climate.
15. The plum originated in Asia, but scientists find it difficult to pinpoint its exact source.
16. In central regions, most plum trees are grown in amateur gardens. The biggest obstacle to expanding plum cultivation is the insufficient winter hardiness of many varieties.
17. Plums can lower elevated body temperature during a fever, similar to raspberries.
18. Some medical studies confirm that plums help reduce the risk of cancer.
19. More than 250 different varieties of plums are currently cultivated worldwide.
20. Plum trees are excellent honey plants. Bees can collect up to 10 kilograms of honey from one hectare of this crop.
21. Plum seeds are used to produce a special oil that never dries out, making it useful for medical purposes due to this and other properties.
22. Only certain varieties of plums are suitable for making prunes, as not all plums dry well.
23. If you cross wild sloe with cherry plum, you get a real plum tree. This is how scientists figured out its origin.
24. Plums are one of the first fruits to be domesticated by humans. Evidence of plum cultivation dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, over 4,000 years ago.
25. Dried plums, commonly known as prunes, are often used as a natural remedy for constipation due to their high fiber content.
26. Plums are a good source of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give the fruit its deep purple color and help protect the body against oxidative stress.
27. The largest producer of plums in the world is China, which accounts for over half of the global production.
28. Plums are a key ingredient in the traditional Chinese dish “Suan Mei Tang,” a sweet and sour plum drink that is especially popular in the summer.
29. In Japan, plums are used to make “umeboshi,” a type of pickled plum that is known for its sour and salty flavor. Umeboshi is often served with rice.
30. Plum blossoms, particularly those of the Japanese apricot (Prunus mume), are celebrated in East Asian cultures for their beauty and are a symbol of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity.
31. The term “plum job” or “plum position” originates from the practice of giving out the best pieces (the “plums”) in a dish, indicating something that is highly desirable.
32. Some varieties of plums are self-pollinating, while others require cross-pollination with another variety to produce fruit.
33. The sugar content in plums can vary greatly depending on the variety, with some types being extremely sweet and others more tart.
34. In ancient Rome, plums were highly valued and were often dried and stored for use during the winter months.
35. Plum wood is dense and hard, making it useful for crafting fine furniture and musical instruments.
36. The French dessert “tarte aux prunes” is a traditional plum tart that showcases the fruit’s natural sweetness.
37. Plums can be used to make a variety of preserves, including jams, jellies, and marmalades, which are popular in many cultures.
38. Some plum varieties are specifically bred for their ornamental value, with vibrant foliage and beautiful blossoms, rather than for fruit production.
39. Plums have been depicted in art and literature for centuries, symbolizing everything from beauty and youth to resilience and hope.
40. Plums are often used in savory dishes as well, such as sauces for meat, where their sweet-tart flavor adds a unique depth.