The elephant heart plum, AKA Blood plum, is a freestone fruit that is often referred to as the King of Japanese plums, as it is a Japanese cultivar, botanical name P. salicina. It is a member of the genus, Prunus, which includes cherries, apricots, peaches and almonds. The elephant heart plum requires pollination from other cultivars as it is not self-fertile.

Elephant heart plum's given name is a direct reference to its shape, heft and its coloring. It, indeed, has a heart shape and when ripe, is heavy in the hand, full of juice and the flesh, flushed with deep ruby red coloring throughout. The elephant heart plum has a mottled pistachio and purple skin, deepening to purple red with a powdery finish, when ripe. Its flesh is tender firm, succulent and sweet with just a hint of acid. Elephant heart plums yield a short shelf-life when ripe.

Serving Ideas

Elephant heart plums are best utilized for fresh eating. They make delicious salad ingredients, compotes, reductions and syrups. Elephant heart plums can be used as a principle ingredient in desserts such as cakes, ice creams and pies. Complimentary flavors are vanilla, nutmeg, tropical fruits, figs, berries, citrus and chiles. Savory pairings include cured pork, roasted lamb and crudo-style fish and shellfish, cumin, basil, cilantro, hazelnuts and cheeses such as burrata and manchego. To store fresh plums, refrigerate ripe fruit for up to seven days.

Geography/History

The elephant heart plum was developed by horticulturist and pioneer of agriculture science, Luther Burbank in the early 20th Century in Sonoma County, CA. Burbank was heavily invested in bringing Asian and European varieties of familiar fruits, specifically apricots, cherries and plums into his plant breeding program. Burbank drew upon the genetic diversity of these new species to develop new varieties that would thrive in the growing regions of California. Through the method of hand pollination, the elephant heart plum was created from a Japanese plum variety. It is considered a boutique variety, as today it is still grown by a limited amount of small farms as it requires being hand picked and hand packed.

Seasons/Availability

Elephant heart plums are available mid to late summer.