The sugar plum is plum is a stone fruit cultivar within the genus, Prunus, which includes cherries, apricots, peaches and almonds. Sugar plum is the given name to a variety of self-pollenating Italian plums. The Italian plum, botanical name Prunica domestica, is the freestone fruit that is responsible for prunes. The name given to the sugar plum essentially is an indicator of its sugar content. Its ability to create a high concentration of fermentable sugars makes the sugar plum the ideal candidate to create prunes. In addition to direct consumption, it is also a commercial fruit crop used for the processing industry of cheeses and distilled alcohols, including brandy and wine.

The sugar plum is a petit, egg-shaped fruit with a deep purple, often powdered blueberry colored smooth thin skin and an amber lime green, tender firm flesh full of rich, complex and appropriately confectionary sweet flavors that deepen as the fruit ripens. The fruit bears a large central inedible pit that mimics the skin's coloring.

Serving Ideas

Although most sugar plums are dried to a prune state, they are considered a multi-purpose plum. They are great for fresh eating, for using as a dessert ingredient, processed into jam and preserve form and simply added to sweet and savory salads. Complimentary sweet flavors include vanilla, nutmeg, tropical fruits, chocolate, butter and citrus. Savory pairings include mild fresh cheeses such as chevre and ricotta, herbs such as arugula, chiles, fennel and basil, bacon, lamb and grilled seafood such as shrimp and scallops. To store, refrigerate ripe fruit for up to one week.

Geography/History

There are three different classifications of plums: Japanese, European and American. Italian plums are a Europen plum and native to the Mediterranean coastal regions of Italy. They thrive in arid climates where winter time temperatures are cool but not cold and the summer season is long, warm and dry. Though plums adapt to a wide variety of growing regions, growing seasons require minimal humidity and rainfall to prevent disease and encourage fruit development.

Seasons/Availability

Sugar plums are available during the summer.