Plums are one of the most popular fruits, and wide plum varieties are available. Two of the most common types of plums are red plums and black plums. While both types have a sweet taste, they have different appearances, nutritional profiles, and uses in cooking. Today we’ll discuss Red Plum Vs Black Plum varieties and their differences.
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Different Types of Plums
There are many different types of plums; however, red and black plums seem to be the most popular. Here are some of the other types you may come across:
Cherry Plums:
Cherry plums are small, round, and have a bright red color. They have a sweet-tart flavor, making them famous for culinary dishes.
Blood Plum:
The blood plum is an incredibly fantastic plum variety. It’s known for its dark skin – usually a dark burgundy, dark violet, or deep magenta, with subtle shades of crimson or purple – and its sweet, juicy. This plum’s unique flavor can only be described as deliciously tart and slightly acidic with a mild honey-like sweetness.
Damson Plums:
Damson plums are oval and have dark purple-blue skin, reddish-purple skin, or blue skin in color. They have a slightly tart flavor but can still be eaten raw or cooked into dishes.
Japanese Plums:
Japanese plums are round and come in a variety of colors like dark red skin, yellow, and orange. They have a juicy and sweet flavor, making them famous for eating raw or cooking. These plums’ skin tastes like berries.
Mirabelle Plums:
Mirabelle plums are small, round, and yellow. These yellow plums have a soft flesh with sweet and sour flavor and are often used in jams or cooked into desserts such as Cobbler. They are called cherry plums.
Elephant Heart Plums:
Elephant Heart plums are a Japanese plum variety. Named after their large, heart-shaped appearance and vibrant reddish-purple color, these plums have a sweet taste and hint of tartness. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Elephant Heart plums are as nutritious as they are delicious. Elephant Heart Plums have great Anti Inflammatory Properties.
Black Beauty Plums:
Black beauty plums are plump and juicy, with firm flesh that is sweet and tart. They are a great variety to enjoy in the summertime for fresh eating, baking and preserving. Whether eaten fresh off the tree or cooked in pies and jams, these firm fruits offer a unique flavor every time.
Santa Rosa Plums:
Santa Rosa plums are a variety of red flesh plums with amber flesh and vibrant greenish-purple skin. When eaten at peak ripeness, these fruits have an exceptional and intensely sweet flavor and have slightly crunchy flesh.
The soft texture, firm flesh, and rosy hue of the flesh make them one of the most popular plums in North America. They can make pies, tarts, preserves, or snacks!
Italian Prune Plums:
Italian Prune Plums can add a sweet yet tart flavor to your kitchen creations. As this plum fruit ripens, it becomes even sweeter and juicier. These plum fruits are crunchy and juicy when eaten fresh, but they become even more delicious when dried
Dried plums or prunes, as they are often called, retain their enticing taste and delightful texture when cooked in many different ways.
Lemon Plums:
Lemon plums are a unique and delicious stone fruit most commonly found in Asia. They are bright yellow in color and contain bright yellow flesh. When ripe, lemon plums have an incredibly sweet flavor with just a hint of acidity. The texture of fresh plums is firm yet produces a stunningly juicy burst when eaten.
Greengage Plums :
Greengage plums are round plums with unique green flesh and green skin, which makes them stand out from other types of plums. The greengage plums are one of the sweetest plums. They are part of European plums.
They have an unusual, intense flavor that many people find delightful. Greengage plums are typically ripe during June and July in the Northern Hemisphere, but they can also be found in other seasons, depending on where they are grown.
Which Plums Are Better, Red or Black?
It’s a classic debate, which plums are better: Red or Black? The two differences can be in sweet and sour taste and texture.
Red plums have sweet, juicy flesh with slightly tart skins, while black plums have a more sour taste with sweet skin. If you prefer sweet fruit, red plums should be your go-to choice.
While if you like a slight tartness, black plums will do just fine! Ultimately, it comes down to what flavor and texture you want best.
Is Red Plum Sweeter Than Black Plum
You might be wondering which one is the sweeter when it comes to different plum tree varieties. When eaten fresh, the difference in sweetness between red and black plums can be pretty subtle.
Some would argue that a red plum has a sweeter taste than its black cousin, but as with any fruit and vegetable, the sweetness can vary greatly depending on ripeness and other factors. The best way to find out your favorite is to try them out!
Difference Between Red and Black Plums
Consider a few key differences if you want to decide between red or black plums.
Color
Regarding color, red plums tend to be lighter in the shade with a reddish-pink hue and amber flesh. Meanwhile, black plums have dark purple skin and even darker flesh.
Taste
Generally, both types of plums have juicy flesh; however, in terms of taste, red plums tend to be sweeter and more common in the United States. Black plums are tart and tangy, often found in warmer climates like Mediterranean regions.
What Are the Benefits of Eating Red Plum?
Eating fresh Red Plums Can Benefit Your Health by containing various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to improve your overall well-being. Red plums are incredibly rich in vitamin C, which helps bolster the immune system and keeps you healthy by maintaining colds and other illnesses at bay.
Red plums also provide you fiber, which is linked to helping keep cholesterol levels in check, as well as potassium needed to maintain blood pressure levels. Beyond these benefits, eating red plums can also help protect against age-related cognitive impairment and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
Red Plum vs. Black Plum Nutrition
| Nutrient | Red Plum(100g) | Black Plum(100g) |
| Calories | 30 kcal | 40 kcal |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 0.6 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g | 0.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 8.5 g | 11.2 g |
How Many Calories in a Red Plum?
A single red plum contains approximately 30 calories, making it an excellent snack for those looking to watch their calorie intake.
How Many Calories in Black Plum?
Black plums are slightly higher in calories than red plums, with one medium-sized black plum containing approximately 40 calories.
Are Red Plums Good for Diabetics?
Red plums are full of soluble fiber, making them an excellent choice for diabetics. With the ability to slow digestion, red plums can help keep blood sugars more stable by preventing the rapid rise in blood sugar levels that often follows a meal.
Red plums are a great addition to any diet because of their high antioxidant content, which can help support overall health. They may even help reduce the symptoms of diabetes, as research suggests they have anti-inflammatory properties which could play a part in regulating insulin levels.
Can Plums Make Your Poop Red?
Have you ever seen bright red poop in the toilet and wondered what it could be from? Well, believe it or not, some people say that eating plums can make your poop look red. When plums are digested, their natural pigments can end up in your stool, resulting in a red hue.
If you find that you’re having red poop more often than usual and can’t think of any reason (such as eating lots of plums), it’s essential to see your doctor, as this could be a sign of some health issue. However, if you peek at the toilet bowl after eating some plums, don’t worry – it’s pretty normal!
How to Make Plum Jelly
Plum Jelly Ingredients
Here are the Ingredients for plum Jelly:
- 2 Pounds Of Plums
- 1 ½ Cups Of Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- Pectin
Preparation of Plum Jelly With Pectin
Below are the guidelines about how to make jelly from plums.
- Wash and pit the plums, then cut them into small pieces. Put the pieces in a large pot with enough water to cover them.
- Boil the plums for about 15 minutes, occasionally stirring until they are very soft and beginning to break apart.
- Remove the mixture from heat and strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Collect the liquid and discard the solids.
- Measure 2 cups of plum juice and pour it into a separate pot. Add 1 ½ cups of sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 25 minutes after reducing the heat, stirring occasionally.
- If you would like to thicken the jelly, add some pectin at this point. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Pour the jelly into a container and refrigerate until it has thickened and set.
Enjoy your homemade plum jelly! Try adding it to toast or using it as a topping for ice cream.
Making Plum Jalapeno Jam
Making Plum Jalapeno Jam is a great way to use plums in a slightly spicier dish. To make it, you’ll need to add 2 diced and minced jalapenos to the plums when making the above.
So Which One Is Better? Black Plum Or Red Plum
In conclusion, red and black plums are healthy snacks for humans, but it’s essential to understand that some potential risks can be associated with feeding them to dogs. Red plums contain sugar alcohols, while both can have stones or pits that can cause choking and blockages.
Both types of plums can also be used to make jams and jellies, although black plums may require more added ingredients, such as jalapenos, to give them a more exciting flavor. Ultimately, it depends on your preference and what you want in a snack. Both plums offer a sweet and juicy treat, but the type you choose will depend on your own taste.
