Plums

  • Constantin Diana

  • Clasa a 12-a B

  • Colegiul Național “Mircea cel Bătrân”

General details

A plum is a drupe fruit of the subgenus Prunus of the genus Prunus. Mature plum fruit may have a dusty-white coating that gives them a glaucous appearance. Dried plum fruits are called dried plums or prunes, although prunes are a distinct type of plum, and may have antedated the fruits now commonly known as plums. Plums are a diverse group of species. The commercially important plum trees are medium sized, usually pruned to 5–6 meters height. The tree is of medium hardiness.

Without pruning, the trees can reach 12 meters in height and spread across 10 meters. They blossom in different months in different parts of the world; for example, in about January in Taiwan and about April in the United States. Fruits are usually of medium size, between 1 to 3 inches in diameter, globose to oval. The flesh is firm and juicy. The fruit’s peel is smooth, with a natural waxy surface that adheres to the flesh. The fruit has a single large seed.

SPECIES

Plum has many species, and taxonomists differ on the count. Depending on the taxonomist, between 19 to 40 species of plum exist. From this diversity only two species, the hexaploid European plum (Prunus domestica) and the diploid Japanese plum (Prunus salicina and hybrids), are of worldwide commercial significance. Other species of plum variously originated in Europe, Asia and America.

DIFFERENT USES

  • it is juicy and can be eaten fresh or used in jam-making or other recipes. Plum juice can be fermented into plum wine. In central England, a cider-like alcoholic beverage known as plum jerkum is made from plums.

  • Prune uscate sunt, de asemenea, dulci și suculente și conțin antioxidanți. Prunele sunt cunoscute pentru efectul lor laxativ. Acest efect a fost atribuit diferiților compuși prezenți în fructe, cum ar fi fibre alimentare, sorbitol, și isatin.

Plum and plum juice are often used to regulate the digestive system functionality.

  • dried, salted plums are used as a snack, sometimes known as saladito or salao. They tend to be much drier than the standard prune. Licorice is generally used to intensify the flavor of these plums and is used to make salty plum drinks and toppings for shaved ice or baobing.

  • prune kernel oil is made from the fleshy inner part of the pit of the plum.

  • though not available commercially, the wood of plum trees is used by hobbyists and other private woodworkers for musical instruments, knife handles, inlays, and similar small projects.

SYMBOLISM

  • The plum (mei 梅) signifies the first month of the lunar calendar.

  • The plum symbolizes courage and hope because it blossoms first and bravely stands against the dangers of winter.

  • The plum tree is a member of the Three Friends in Winter.

  • the five petals of the plum blossom symbolize the “five blessings” (wufu 五福), also known as the “five happinesses” or “five good fortunes”. These five blessings refer to longevity (寿), wealth (富), health and composure (康宁), virtue (修好德), and the desire to die a natural death in old age (考 终命).

Recipe

Plums can also be used in a numer of vegan recepies, for example this plum flummery which is easy to make and not to mention delicious.

Ingrediente:

  • 2 cups plums, pitted and sliced

  • 1 tablespoon water (optional)

  • 1 (.25 ounce) flavored gelatin

  • 1/2 cup hot water

  • 1/2 cup white sugar

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1/2 cup milk

Directions

  • Place the plums into a saucepan over medium-low heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the plums are soft, 5 to 10 minutes. If the mixture becomes too thick or starts to burn, add a tablespoon of water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool.

  • Dissolve the gelatin in 1/2 cup of hot water in a bowl, and stir in the cooled plums, sugar, and lemon juice. Mix until the gelatin and sugar have dissolved. Chill the plum mixture in refrigerator until it begins to thicken, about 30 minutes. Whip the evaporated milk in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until thick, then gently spoon the whipped milk into the plum mixture. Beat again with electric mixer until the dessert is fluffy and well combined. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

I enjoyed working on this project because it helped me acknowledge the importance of fruit in our diet, due to their incredibly high number of health benefits, not to mention the fact that they’re very tasty too.