When Is Plum Season? Learn the Best Months and How to Pick Right

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Plum season in the U.S. typically spans from May to October, but exact timing varies by region and variety. Late summer is generally considered the peak season for flavor.This book tells you when to pick plums, which ones are the sweetest, how to choose the best fruit, and more. 

You will also learn about red plums, what not to do when shopping for them, and products made with plums. Plums are a tasty and healthy fruit that you should eat when they're in season, whether they are fresh or dried.

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When Is Plum Season?

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From May to October, plum season lasts. The sweetest and juiciest plums come out in late summer. Most grocery stores sell fresh plums at this time, and the prices are usually better because there are more of them.

Peak Plum Season Explained

When it's warm outside, plums grow best. The best ones are picked when they're fully ripe, which is between July and September.

• Best months to buy: July through September for peak taste

• Plum types in season: Both European plums (firm and oval) and Japanese plums (round and juicy).

• Grown on: Fruit-bearing plum trees across the U.S. and Europe.

• Where to find: Local farms, markets, and large grocery stores.

Seasonal Pricing and Shopping Tips for Ripe Plums

When plums are in season, they cost less. Out-of-season plums may be imported or stored for long periods, which can affect texture and flavor depending on handling and ripeness at harvest.

• Cheapest time: Mid to late summer, when plums are widely available.

• Frozen option: Use frozen plums when fresh ones aren’t in stock.

• Storage tip: Buy in bulk and store plums in the fridge or freezer.

• Shopping advice: Look for fruit that’s recently picked, not imported long ago.

Which Plum Is the Sweetest?

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How sweet a plum is depends on what kind it is and how ripe it is. Some types are sweet already, while others need more time to get fully ripe after being picked. Plums from both Europe and Japan come in sweet varieties.

Best-Tasting Plum Varieties from European Plums to Japanese Plum

The high sugar content of these popular types makes them a good place to start if you want sweet plums.

• Moyer: A sweet, large European plum perfect for snacks and desserts.

• Elephant Heart: A juicy, soft Japanese plum with a deep flavor.

• Mirabelle: Small, golden plums known for their rich, sweet taste.

• Black Amber: A common type in stores, sweet and great for fresh eating.

What Affects Plum Sweetness

Some plums don't taste sweet right away. Some fruits aren't at their best until they're fully ripe.

• Unripe plums: Usually sour and hard; may not ripen well.

• Ripen at home: Place in a paper bag, keep away from direct sunlight.

• Ready to eat: Should feel slightly soft and smell sweet.

• Tree-ripened: These plums are generally sweeter because they reach full sugar content before harvest, though this can vary by cultivar and climate.

What to Avoid When Buying Plums?

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Picking the correct plum is important for getting great taste and value. Plums can be either not ready yet or have gone bad by showing certain signs.

Signs of a Bad Plum

Pay close attention when you pick. Your snack or dish can go bad if you use bad plums.

• Shriveled skin: A sign of dehydration and age.

• Soft or mushy spots: Means the plum is overripe or starting to rot.

• Green or uneven color: Especially in non-green varieties, shows it’s not ripe.

• Bad smell: A sour scent is a clear sign the plum is spoiled.

How to Choose the Right Plum

Plums that look and feel firm but not hard are the best. They also have a good color that is spread out.

• Feel test: Choose fruit that’s slightly soft to the touch, not rock hard.

• Storage tip: Let unripe plums ripen at room temp, then store in fridge when soft.

• Freezing: Slice and freeze on a baking sheet, remove as much air as possible when sealing.

• Use tip: Frozen plums are great for smoothies, baking, or sauces.

Are Red Plums in Season?

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Many people like red plums because they are firm and have a tangy-sweet taste. Red plums are most abundant in summer, although imports and storage methods may extend their availability beyond this season. Most plums, even red ones, are available during the warmer months, when trees naturally ripen other fruits.

Red Plum Season Timing

Most of the time, red plums are picked and sold from May to September. The months in which you can find fresh, tasty, and less expensive plums are these.

• Seasonal window: Red plums are available from late spring through early fall.

• Freshness peak: July and August are ideal for ripe plums.

• Sold as: Whole or sliced halves in some markets.

• Best compared with: Similar in timing to peaches and nectarines.

Red Plum Qualities and Uses

That's why red plums are useful. Because they are just the right amount of sweet and sour, you can eat them raw or use them in recipes to make jams, sauces, or even plum wine.

• Texture: Juicy with a little give when ripe.

• Great for: Fresh eating, boiling water jam recipes, or sauces.

• Pairs well with: Pork and chicken dishes.

• Tip: For maximum flavor, avoid overly firm or dry plums.

How FullyHealthy Supports Your Plum Obsession

If you still want to eat plums even when they're not in season, FullyHealthy has some tasty and easy options for you online. These are perfect for people who value healthy snacks made from real produce.

Plum Products from FullyHealthy

This website has high-quality goods that are made with real plums or ingredients that come from plums. You can eat these as a snack or cook with them.

• Made in Nature Organic Dried Plums: Soft, chewy snacks made from ripe plums.

• Eden Foods Ume Plum Vinegar: Adds bold flavor to salad dressings and cooked meals.

• That’s It Apple + Mango Bar: A fruit bar alternative when fresh plums are out of stock.

Online Shopping Tips

People who shop online may run into site problems like "request blocked" or "configuration error" from time to time. Most of the time, these issues are caused by the website owner's settings.

• If you get an error: Save your request ID and refresh the page.

• Too much traffic: Wait and try again later.

• Solution: If you experience issues accessing product pages, try refreshing the site later or contacting customer support.

Final Thoughts

Plums are a seasonal fruit that tastes great, especially in the summer. There are many ways to enjoy plums, such as fresh, frozen, or dried. Plums are very useful and can be used in many ways. You can eat them with pork, make wine from them, or put them in the fridge to use later.

To get the best taste, let them ripen the right way, keep them in a cool place, and don't let them go bad. Check the server or site every time you shop online in case the request was blocked or there was a problem with the configuration. Keep the request ID safe and look at the cloudfront documentation for help if websites can't provide content.

FAQs

How do I ripen plums at home?

Place unripe plums in a paper bag, leave at room temp, not in the refrigerator. This starts the ripening process and helps them get soft with a little give.

Can I freeze plums?

Yes, slice plums in halves, place on a baking sheet, and freeze. Remove as much air as possible from the bag to keep them fresh and cool.

Why can’t I access some plum websites?

Sometimes there's a request blocked or server configuration error. Save the request id and check with the website owner. Refer to cloudfront documentation if needed.

What are plum pits called?

The pit inside is called a stone. Always remove the stone before baking or freezing.

Where can I find plum cooking tips?

You can find steps for using plums in jams, sauces, or with pork and chicken. Use boiling water for canning or enjoy with meals like peaches.