PLUM
ORIGINS

Originating from Eurasia and North America, the plum (Prunus domestica) was introduced into Europe about 20,000 years ago.
The earliest reference to its being grown in Italy dates back to the first century BC, when it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia.

PLUM CULTIVATION

The main world producers of plums are China, Russia and the United States. In Europe, the countries producing most plums are Rumania (900,000 tons), ex-Yugoslavia (about 600,000), Germany (400,000), France (300,000) and Italy (150,000).
The most important plum-growing areas in Italy are Emilia-Romagna and Campania. Other regions where the fruit is widely grown are the Marches, Latium, Piedmont and Abruzzo.
Italian plums are available from June to October, with a range of varieties such as Sorriso di Primavera, Ruth Gerstetter, Ozark Premier, Goccia d'oro, Black Gold, Stanley, President, Angeleno, Bella di Lovanio and Santa Rosa.

THE PLUM CALENDAR

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                
Market presence          


CONSUMPTION AND STORAGE

Composed of 87.5% water, the plum is a particularly thirst-quenching fruit and helps to replenish moisture lost through perspiration. High in minerals, such as potassium, calcium and phosphorus, it also plays an important role in purifying the organism. Its high content of sugars, magnesium and fibre stimulates and efficiently regulates the intestine. In addition, according to popular tradition, the plum is good for those suffering from uricemia, asthenia and anemia.
In cosmetics, the liquidised plum pulp is used to make packs that soften, smooth and acidify greasy and irritable skins.
As well as being consumed fresh, plums can be dried or used to make juices, preserves, jams, syrups, fermented drinks and spirits. At a temperature of -0.5 to 1 C° with 85% relative humidity, some varieties of plums can be stored for a maximum period of 3-4 weeks.


NUTRITIONAL AND ENERGY INFORMATION FOR PLUM
(100 grams of product)

Edible part89%
Water87.5g
Proteins0.5g
Lipids0.1g
Glucides10.5g
Fiber1.4g
Energy42kcal
Sodium2mg
Potassium190mg
Iron0.2mg
Calcium13mg
Phosphorus14mg
Niacin0.5mg
Vitamin C5mg


RECIPE

Plum Ratafia

Ingredients: 600 g ripe plums, 1.5 litres alcohol at 90 C°, half litre dry white wine, half litre distilled water, 750 g sugar.

Preparazione:
Wash and dry the plums, remove stalks and mash, taking care not to break the stones. Place the fruit in a large glass container and add the alcohol at 90° C, dry white wine, distilled water and sugar. Close the container and leave it in the sun for two weeks, shaking it once a day. Strain contents first through cloth and then through paper and transfer it to dark-glass bottles. The liquid can be drunk after a three month rest period.

EUROPEAN PLUMS
OBLONG

Oblong European plums mainly include the varieties Ruth Gerstetter, Ersinger Precocious, Bella di Lovanio, California Blue, Bluefre, Stanley Giant and President.
These plum varieties are available on the market from June through October.

THE CALENDAR FOR EUROPEAN PLUMS VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                  
Market presence              


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Intact, healthy fruit; pruinous skin.
Even size and color.

Colour
Skin: from blue on a purple background to purplish pink.
Pulp: shady yellow, yellow-green

Shape
Elliptical-ovoid

Flavor and texture
Firm pulp, juicy, sweet and aromatic.

Sale period
From 20th June to 20th October

Storage
Precocious varieties such as Ruth Gerstetter and Ersinger Precocious should be refrigerated at 10-12 °C for no more than 96 hours after picking.
This time may be extended to up to 7 days at 1-2 °C.
The other varieties may be stored at 1-2 °C for up to 15 days after picking.

Handling
This product withstands handling quite well, except the precocious varieties Ruth Gerstetter and Ersinger Precocious.

Things to avoid
Avoid sharp temperature changes.
The fruit should be refrigerated often.
CHINESE-JAPANESE PLUMS
LIGHT SKINNED

Round Chinese-Japanese plums with their yellow and yellow-green skins mainly include the varieties Spring Smile, Gold Drop, Amola, Queen Claudia, Ozark Premier and Burbank. These plum varieties are available on the market from June through September.

THE CALENDAR FOR LIGHT SKINNED C-J PLUMS VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                  
Market presence                


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Intact, healthy fruit; pruinous skin; even size and color.

Colour
Skin: light yellow-green or greenish yellow (Ozark Premier and Burbank varieties are shaded with purplish pink) Pulp: light greenish-yellow and bright yellow

Shape
Spheroid, elliptical

Flavor and texture
Fairly consistent, juicy pulp. Sweet and aromatic.

Sale period
From 20th June to 10th September

Storage
This group of varieties may be refrigerated at 10-12 °C for 96 hours after picking, and at 1-2 °C for up to 10 days.

Handling
These are fairly sensitive varieties and should be handled with care.
The Spring Smile, Gold Drop, Amola and Queen Claudia varieties are especially delicate.

Things to avoid
These fruits are sensitive to sharp temperature changes, and cannot withstand stacking containers on display.
CHINESE-JAPANESE PLUMS
RED-SKINNED

Round Chinese-Japanese plums with red skins mainly include the varieties Florentia, Morettini 355, Santa Rosa, Obilnaja Redrow, Dragon's Blood and Calita Laroda.
These plum varieties are available on the market from June through September.

THE CALENDAR FOR RED-SKINNED C-J PLUMS VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                
Market presence                


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Intact, healthy fruit; pruinous skin; even size and color.

Colour
Skin: red, red-violet
Pulp: yellow, sunny yellow with red veins, orange-red

Shape
Rounded, slightly asymmetrical, sometimes elongated

Flavor and texture
Juicy, with firm pulp, pleasant taste, slightly aromatic.

Sale period
From 15th June to 30th September

Storage
Except for the Morettini 355, which cannot resist for more than 96 hours after picking when stored at 10-12 °C, or 5-6 days at 1-2 °C, this group of varieties may be refrigerated at 10-12 °C for 5 days after picking, and at 1-2 °C for up to 12-14 days.

Handling
These are fairly hardy plums that withstand handling quite well.
The most sensitive varieties are Morettini 355 and Santa Rosa; take care in handling these products.

Things to avoid
Avoid sharp temperature changes and do not stack containers.
CHINESE-JAPANESE PLUMS
BLACK SKINNED

Round Chinese-Japanese plums with black skins mainly include the varieties Black Stark, Black Gold, Black Diamond, Friar and Angeleno.
These plum varieties are available on the market from June through December.

THE CALENDAR FOR BLACK-SKINNED C-J PLUMS VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                
Market presence          


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Intact, healthy fruit; pruinous skin; even size and color.

Colour
Skin: blue-violet, dark blue and black
Pulp: yellow, orange and pink

Shape
Large, spheroid fruit, slightly asymmetrical, at times with flattened ends

Flavor and texture
Juicy, high sugar contact, low acidity.

Sale period
From 15th June to 20th December

Storage
This group of varieties may be refrigerated at 10-12 °C for 5 days after picking, and at 1-2 °C for up to 12-14 days.

Handling
This is a fairly hardy product that withstands handling quite well.

Things to avoid
Avoid sharp temperature changes.
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