Golden plums

Types of golden plums

• Japanese Golden Plum

  The Japanese golden plum, known as the Eda in Japan, dominates the orchards that produce golden hued and tangy-sweet fruits. Owing to the trees' self-fertility, this attractive plump fruit can be planted alone. The fruit is ready for harvest within a few months after flowering and often falls off the tree when fully ripe. The fruit is nonuniform in color, with golden yellow, light orange, or reddish hues. The Japanese golden plum tastes sweet with a little acidity and has a tender texture. The golden Japanese plum tree grows well in most well-draining soils and needs at least eight hours of sun every day.

• Damson Golden Plum

  The damson golden plum is a small, egg-shaped fruit, slightly larger than the damson blue plum. It has a shiny golden yellow skin that's more on the orange side when fully ripe. The flesh is juicy and smooth, offering a taste that's sweet with a subtle sharpness. This variety is enjoyed for its balance of sweetness and acidity, making it not too sweet but rather refreshing. Damson plums are slightly smaller than regular plum fruit, growing to about 1-2 inches in size. The golden damson plum tree needs well-draining, loamy soil to thrive and acidic soil to produce the best fruit. The tree prefers full sun to partial shade.

• Apricot Golden Plum

  Apricot golden plum is a hybrid fruit that combines qualities of both apricots and plums, hence the name. The fruit has velvety skin that resembles an apricot, but it's more plum-shaped. The skin is usually golden yellow or light orange. The flesh is tender and juicy, with a sweet flavor that's not overly rich, sometimes with a hint of tartness. It has a soft texture similar to an apricot and a juicy consistency like a plum. The tree grows best in well-draining soil and requires adequate moisture. Golden plum apricot tree is productive and hardy and needs full sunlight and some shade to grow well.

• Golden Renaissance Plum

  Golden renplum is a smooth, round fruit similar to other plum varieties in shape. It’s typically golden yellow with reddish blush on parts of its skin. The interior flesh is amber in color and firm but becomes more tender as it ripens. It has a sweet flavor with mild acidity, making it taste very sweet when fully ripe. Renplum trees need regular watering and don’t like dry conditions during the growing season. The trees are hardy and can withstand colder climates, making them suitable for a range of growing conditions. They prefer slightly acidic soil and thrive in loamy or sandy soils that offer good drainage.

Golden plums' specifications and values

Golden plums belong to the category of yellow plums and are therefore often confused with yellow purple plums, which belong to a different category altogether.

• Appearance

  Golden plums have a smooth, thin skin that’s golden yellow or light orange, sometimes with a reddish blush, especially near the stem. The size of golden queen plums varies but is generally around 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter. They tend to be slightly larger than smaller azure blue plums. The flesh of golden plums is juicy and tender, and the inner flesh is usually amber or yellow.

• Flavor

  Golden plums have a balanced taste that's sweet with a hint of acidity. This combination makes them refreshing and not overly sweet. When fully ripe, they become very sweet with rich plum flavors. Ripe golden plums are typically sweeter than the slightly firm ones.

• Nutritional value

  Golden plums are low in calories and high in water content, making them a great hydrating snack. They’re a good source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. These nutrients support the immune system, bone health, and overall bodily functions. Like many other fruits, they contain antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals in the body.

• Ripeness

  Golden plums are ripe when they give slightly to gentle pressure. Their skin will also have a deeper golden color, and the fruit will feel a bit softer. A ripe golden plum will be uniformly golden with no green spots. The taste will be sweet and rich, while the texture will be tender but not mushy.

Benefits of golden plums

• Supports digestive health

  Golden yellow plum is a good source of dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome. This is because fiber acts as a prebiotic that feeds beneficial gut bacteria.

• Boosts immune system

  Golden plums are rich in vitamin C, which is essential for the immune system. Vitamin C helps the body defend itself against infections and diseases while also aiding in the production of white blood cells that fight off pathogens. It also helps boost skin health and immunity against disease and infections.

• Antioxidant properties

  These fruits are packed with antioxidants like phenols and flavonoids, which combat oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage, reduce inflammation, and may lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These antioxidant activities give golden plums anti-aging properties and promote overall body health.

• Bone health

  Vitamin K found abundantly in golden plums is important for maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin K supports bone mineralization and helps in the processes that prevent bone breakdown. This is particularly important for aging adults who are at risk for osteoporosis.

• Weight management

  Golden plums have a low calorie and high-water content that makes them filling without adding excess calories. This makes them a healthy snack option for those looking to manage weight or reduce their calorie intake. They can be eaten fresh or added to other dishes to provide bulk without many calories.

How to Store Golden Plums Properly

• Refrigeration for ripened plums

  If golden ripe plums are fully ripe, store them in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process and help them last a bit longer. Do this by placing the plums in a shallow container and covering them loosely with a towel or plastic wrap to avoid one plum getting bruised by another. Set the container in the fruit drawer of the refrigerator since it has a slightly higher humidity level than other sections in the fridge. Refrigerated plums should be consumed within 4 to 6 days to enjoy the best flavor and texture.

• Storing unripe plums

  If golden plums are still a bit firm and not fully ripe, store them at room temperature until they ripen. Do this by placing them in a single layer in a loosely covered container and keeping them in a cool, dark place like a pantry or kitchen counter. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight, as this can cause them to overripen. Once they ripen to the desired level, transfer them to the fridge to extend their freshness. Monitor the fruit daily to check for ripening, and once they become slightly soft and have a fragrant smell, they’re ready to eat.

• Maintain optimal freshness

  Avoid washing golden plums until just before eating. Washing them before storage can introduce excess moisture, leading to mold growth or berries spoilage. Ensure the plums are completely dry before storing either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Overripe plums can be used in baking, making jams, or blending into smoothies. These are best used quickly once they become overripe.

• Freezing for long-term storage

  Freezing is a great option for long-term storage of golden plums that are fully ripe. Freezing preserves their nutritional value and makes them useful for future recipes. To freeze, wash and pit the plums, then cut them into halves or quarters depending on preference. Lay the plum pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen plum pieces to airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers with dates and store them in the freezer. Frozen plums are best used within 3 to 6 months.

How to choose golden plums

• Assess firmness and ripeness

  Golden plums should be slightly firm to the touch but yield gently when light pressure is applied. This indicates they are ripe and ready to eat. If the fruit is too soft, it might be overripe and could be spoiled. Underripe plums will be hard and lack the sweet flavor and juicy texture.

• Check color and skin condition

  Look for plums with a rich golden yellow color. Some varieties might also have a reddish blush on their skin, but this is normal and doesn’t affect the color. The skin should be smooth without any wrinkles or blemishes. Wrinkled skin is a sign that the plum is overripe or has been stored for too long. Avoid plums with green patches on the skin, as these may not be ripe yet.

• Look for even ripening

  Choose plums that are uniformly colored without dark spots or uneven ripening. The tips of purple plums may appear slightly darker than the body but this should not be pronounced. Dark spots can indicate overripeness or spoilage, while one side being riper than the other can cause an imbalance in flavor.

• Assess the skin texture

  Golden plums should have a slightly firm skin that feels taut. This slight firmness allows for gentle squeezing without causing any bruises. Avoid plums with bruised or damaged skins as these may be too soft or spoiled. Plums with small indentations in the skin are normal and a characteristic of some varieties.

• Smell the fruit

  Ripe golden plums will have a sweet, fruity aroma, particularly near the stem area. If the fruit has no noticeable scent, it may be unripe. A strong, overly sweet smell can indicate that the fruit is overripe and may be spoiled.

Q&A

Q1: Do golden plums belong to the yellow burgundy plum family?

A1: Yes, golden plums are a type of yellow plum and belong to the yellow burgundy plum family.

Q2: Are all golden plums sweet?

A2: No, golden plums range from sweet to slightly tart depending on the variety and ripeness.

Q3: Are yellow and golden plums the same?

A3: Golden plums are yellow plums and belong to the yellow plum family.

Q4: Are golden plums nutritious?

A4: Yes, golden plums are nutrient-dense and offer a variety of benefits.