Summertime is harvest time. Anyone who tastes the first blue-colored plums is often surprised by the sour taste. It still takes a while until the fruits are ready to harvest. The degree of ripeness is reflected in the consistency and color.
When are plums ready to pick?
Plums are ready to harvest when they give slightly under pressure, the stem base shrinks and they are ready to harvest about two weeks after they turn blue. The optimal harvest time depends on the variety and the sunlight, which is crucial for fruit ripening and fructose formation.
When the fruits are ripe
Early varieties bear the first ripe fruits in July, with sunlight playing an important role in fruit ripening. The sun causes an intense blue color and promotes the formation of fructose. Since a tree does not receive equal sunlight from all sides, both ripe and unripe plums hang on the branches.
Plums:
- give slightly under pressure when ripe
- taste best when the stem shrinks
- are ready to harvest two weeks after turning blue
Store the harvest correctly
Dark and cool conditions increase the shelf life of undamaged plums to three to four days. Place the fruit in a paper bag to prevent a damp environment from forming. Place these in the refrigerator, making sure the stone fruits don't crush each other. Only wash the yield shortly before consumption so that the sensitive wax layer is not lost. This so-called scent film protects the fruit from drying out and is not harmful to he alth.
Making dried plums
Dried fruits have a more intense aroma and can be stored for a few months. Wash and deseed the stone fruits and spread them on a baking tray. The pulp dries in the oven at 50 degrees for the next six hours. Wedge a knife into the oven door to allow moisture to escape from the interior. Turn the fruit pieces occasionally.
Tip
When it comes to jam, the peel gets in the way. Peel the plums by scoring the outer skin crosswise and then put them in hot water. The shell can be easily removed.
Freeze plums
The Prunus fruits last longer if you store them in the freezer. First remove the core and place the fruit halves side by side on a plate. Place it in the freezer for a few hours so that the pulp freezes. When you then put it into the freezer bag, the halves no longer freeze together and you can easily portion the fruit.
