Introduction
Plum is usually pink, purple or yellow colored nutritious fruit. Trees of this fruit are planted in cold area. The harvesting season of plum is summer. Although it is summer fruit but it can be stored in dry form to use throughout the year.
Nutritional Value of Plum
They are rich source of energy. It contains protein, carbohydrate, fats and fibers. It is also source of vitamin C and minerals i.e. potassium, iron and magnesium. Following table shows complete picture of 100g of plums nutritional value.
Energy | 46 calories |
Fat | 0.3g |
Potassium | 157 mg |
Carbohydrates | 11g |
Fiber | 1.4g |
Protein | 0.7g |
Vitamin C | 15% |
Iron | 1% |
Magnesium | 1% |
Benefits of Plum
- They contain Fiber content that help in maintaining sugar level in blood. It helps in the production of hormone name adiponectin which helps to lower down the sugar level in blood. It is good to eat it after having carbs. Prunes which is dried form of plum helps in bone’s health and its preservation in body.
- They have protein which is helpful in nourishing skin. If 6-7 plums are eaten daily they will nourish the skin and it will start to glow. It also helps in reducing dark spots from skin.
- Iron is helpful in development and growth of bones and teeth. It also help production of Red blood cells.
- Magnesium is helpful in muscle and regulating nerve function. It is also used in the production of protein, bones and DNA.
- Potassium helps in transmitting message in neurons and it also helps in regulating fluid levels in cell.
- As it also contains protein which is important to perform many function including hormones, enzymes and antibodies production.
- They contain healthy fat which is in saturated form and will provide a good source of stored energy within cell.
3 Methods to preserve Plums
It is summer fruit and is available in markets for 2 months. As it is very healthy fruit so it can be stored in dried form to take advantage from it.
Here we are going to discuss three best ways to store it in dry form, which is known as prunes.
1. Boiling in Sugar Water
Wash plums in water. Add some sugar in boiling water. Then add plums in sugar water and boil for 1-2 minutes on medium heat. Take out plums from water and you will observe that their skin gets removed from sides.
Now put them in sieve for 1-2 hours to remove excessive water. After that press them with your hand to get rid of remaining water. Now put them on clean cloth separately so that they do not touch each other under direct sun heat. After 3-4 days they will dry.
2. Dehydration in Oven or Dehydrator
Another method to dry them is to use oven or dehydrator. In this method simply wash plums and then set the temperature 140-145 degree. Place them in dry try and put them in oven or dehydrator for 6-8 hours. This is a quick method then the previous one.
Take out the try carefully and check if they are completely dry. If they have some moisture then you may put them back for 1-2 hour.
3. Pressing with Hand
This is easiest method to dry plums but you need fully ripened fruit to use this method as it will be soft. Simply take plum in your hand and press it so that it gets smooth and some water gets out of it.
Now put them on some cloth or basket under the direct sunlight. It will take 4-5 sunny days to completely dry them.
Storage
Whichever methods you use make it sure that they are completely dry. If they have very small amount of moisture they will be attacked by fungus and will be rotten. So make it sure that they are completely dried up. After drying them store them in air tight jars. Do not touch them with wet hands once they are dried up.