Sugar plum is the given name to a variety of self-pollinating Italian plums.
What are Italian plums called?
What are Italian plums? Italian plums, also called Italian prune plums, are a European plum. They look much different than the commonly available plums in United States supermarkets. Italian plums are about the size of a large strawberry, and they have an oblong shape rather.
Is there a difference between plums and sugar plums?
The truth of the matter is that the sugar plum is not a plum at all, nor does it contain any plum-like substance. The sugar plums of Christmas fantasy are in fact sugar, and any resemblance to plums is entirely superficial.
What are sugar plums?
According to candy historians and the Oxford English Dictionary, a sugar plum is a comfit—that is, a seed, nut, or scrap of spice coated with a layer of hard sugar, like the crunchy outer case of an M&M.
What are sugar plums in Twas the Night Before Christmas?
The original sugar plums referenced in Clement Clark Moore’s poem, “ ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and The Nutcracker were simply coriander seeds surrounded by hardened sugar in an oval (plum) shape. Today, they tend to be a dried fruit, nut, and spice mixture rolled in coarse sugar.
Is there such a thing as Italian plums?
Italian prune plums are small, egg-shaped black plums that are about the size of a large berry. Their smooth, thin skin carries the cloudy look of a blueberry. While most often used for drying as prunes, Italian prune plums have a sweet flavor.
Is a prune plum same as Italian plum?
To borrow a phrase, Italian plums (also known as “prune” or “Stanley” plums) “don’t get no respect.” They’re about half the size of a typical plum and are curiously egg shaped, as if they’re all pit and no fruit. But savvy cooks know that the secret to these modest, bluish-purple fruits is the application of heat.
What are sugar plums good for?
Sugar plums are a good source of potassium, calcium, phosphate, vitamin C and B complex vitamins which have a great importance to the process of metabolism and nervous system health. Their deeply pigmented skins are a good source of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Should sugar plums be refrigerated?
Once ripe, you can leave plums at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerate them for 3 to 5 days. You can freeze them or make plum jam to store them for even longer. When storing plums, remember to: Wash them only before using or eating.
Do sugar plums need to be refrigerated?
STORING SUGAR PLUMS
Sugar plum balls can be stored in an air-tight container for quite some time. Refrigerated, they will last up to a month. At room temperature, they should be eaten with 2 weeks. They taste best when eaten at room temperature as the flavors come through better.
Which variety of plum is sweetest?
Mirabelle plums
Mirabelle plums are the sweetest of all plum varieties. The small fruit with a slight reddish blush is popular for making eau-de-vie in France. Red plum varieties have bright red skin.
How do you eat sugar plums?
Sugar Plums can be eaten raw in sweet salads or be made into jams and pies. Processed sugar plums are also used in beverages like wine and brandy to add to their bitter-sweetness. These bite-sized fruits also go well with savory food items like meat like lamb and bacon, herbs, and seafood like shrimp and scallops.
What was the original sugar plum?
The original sugar plums, which date back to the 1600s, were hardened sugar balls surrounding a seed, nut, or spice. Because the sugar layers were added via a technique called panning, the process was very labor-intensive, and the resulting treat was very expensive.
What does sugar plum mean slang?
Sugar-plum definition
Term of endearment; sweetheart, darling. noun.
What does a sugar plum taste like?
What is a sugar plum and what does it taste like? A sugar plum is a sweet treat made of dried fruit, nuts and warm spices coated in crunchy sugar. It tastes of the warm flavors found in many holiday treats, cinnamon, cloves, and sweet with a bit of tart.
Where did sugar plum originate?
Portugal
More commonly, at least since 1668 when the term was first used, sugar plums are considered a confection. They probably originated in Portugal, where they contained green plums, but are now just as likely to feature black figs. They were poached for days in syrup and rolled in sugar to preserve them through the winter.
What do Italian plums taste like?
About the Italian Plum Tree
This stone fruit has smooth, purple skin with a dusting of powdery blue. Its flesh is a semi-firm, golden yellow and has a rich blend of sweetness with a lemon-tart edge that sets it apart from the common taste of other plums.
Do Italian plums ripen after picking?
Storage tips: Plums will continue to ripen off the tree. Place ripe fruit in the fridge right away, and let unripe fruit ripen on the counter or in a paper bag. Be careful to check on ripening plums — they can go quickly from unripe to overripe.
Do Italian plums ripen off the tree?
Just like nectarines and pears, plums complete their ripening cycle off the tree. This is why you will typically purchase them firm and allow them to sit at room temperature a few days to soften.
Why do prunes have a laxative effect?
Prunes contain large amounts of phenolic compounds (184 mg/100 g), mainly as neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids, which may aid in the laxative action and delay glucose absorption.
Where do Italian plums grow?
An Italian plum or prune is a type of small fruit-bearing tree native to Europe. Also called fellenburg, the Italian plum is often planted by homeowners wishing to grow edible fruit on their property. The scientific, or botanical, name for this tree is Prunus domestica.