Prunes vs Prunes - What's the difference?

Plums are dried plums, but not all plums are plums. Although it may seem confusing, it has a simple explanation.

Although all prunes are a dried version of a plum, not all varieties of plums can be dried into prunes. The plum fruit that we all like to eat comes from a different variant than the one used to dry plums.

Now, since that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the differences between prunes and plums and how they can be used in different recipes.

What is the difference between prunes and plums? The main difference is in their taste and appearance: one is a fresh, juicy fruit with a pleasant sour taste, and the other is a dry, sticky, chewy version with concentrated sweetness.

Both have various health benefits and are used in various types of cuisine around the world. Keep reading to know more:

What are plums?

Plums are a fleshy, juicy fruit that belongs to the same family as apricots, peaches, cherries, and nectarines, and most are grown in China, Romania, Serbia, and the United States.

They are round or heart-shaped and have sweet, succulent meat wrapped in a soft, edible skin. They have a bone (nipple) in the center that must be discarded when eating, as it is inedible.

There are different varieties of plums that are grown all over the world. They can be red, purple, green or yellow, depending on the variety .

Plums can be eaten raw as a healthy snack, as well as cooked or baked as an ingredient in various sweet and savory dishes.

What are prunes?

Prunes are the dried version of plums. In the United States they are more commonly known as “dried plums” since their name was officially changed to the latter.

The drying process gives them a wrinkled appearance and a darker color, with a deep, sweet flavor and a sticky, chewy texture.

As previously stated, prunes are made by drying a specific variety of plums that are reserved for processing rather than eaten as fresh fruit.

They are available year-round and can be eaten as a nutritious snack or added to a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

Difference Between Prunes and Prunes

The main difference between plums and prunes is that one is a fresh fruit while the other is a dried version of the same. Plums and prunes can be compared to grapes and raisins, but with a few key differences.

Most plums have red skin when ripe, similar to the color of blood, while prunes have bluish or purple skin.

In terms of their shape, plums are more rounded in shape, often heart-like, while prunes are oval in shape and look like oversized raisins.

When ripe, plums are sweet and juicy, with a delicious tart aftertaste, while prunes have concentrated sweetness and are sticky and chewy.

Both plums and prunes are packed with nutrients and important vitamins and minerals.

However, prunes contain more calories, fiber, and carbohydrates than fresh plums, plus a higher sugar content that allows them to be dried without fermenting.

Both plums and prunes are rich in antioxidants and support heart and bone health, as well as lower blood sugar levels.

Due to the difference in their appearance and taste, plums and prunes enter our diet in different ways. Let’s look at the various ways they can be used in recipes and how they can be prepared and stored:

How to cook with plums

When choosing the perfect plums to eat raw, you have to look for those that are ripe and yield to gentle pressure . If their tip is slightly soft and they have an intense color, it is a sign that they are at their best moment and ready to be consumed.

You should also check for punctures, bruises, and signs of decay , as these will reduce their shelf life and may cause them to rot before you have a chance to use them in your recipes.

Fresh plums can be eaten as is or used in various recipes. If they are in the fridge, it is best to keep them out at room temperature for a while so that they reach their maximum sweetness and juiciness.

They are a perfect ingredient for summer desserts, while those that are not ripe are more suitable for savory dishes. Here are some ideas on how to use plums in cooking and baking:

pickled plums

Fresh plums are in limited availability, so the next time you see the grocery store overflowing with this juicy fruit, grab some and make pickled plums to enjoy for months to come.

Pickled plums are made with a few simple ingredients, including fresh plums, granulated sugar, cinnamon sticks, apple cider vinegar, and a few jarred cardamom pods .

Once the flavors of all the ingredients are infused into the plum, you can enjoy the pickled plums with a delicious meatloaf or roast pork.

caramelized plums

Incredibly delicious and ready in minutes, caramelized plums make a great topping for ice cream, pancakes, cakes, and salads.

Similar to how caramelized peaches and apples are prepared, caramelized plums are made by browning pieces of fresh plum in a pan with butter , salt , and sugar (or honey ).

poached plums

Another great topping for ice cream and other desserts, poached plums are a comfort food with all the great flavors of fall.

Made with simple ingredients like ripe plums, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and sweet wine , your poached plums can be served with absolutely any dessert of your choice.

grilled plums

Roasting plums is a perfect way to bring out their sweetness by caramelizing the sugars on the surface. Simply oil a hot grill, place the halved plums, and let the heat work its magic.

They can be served alongside salads, grilled lamb chops, pork or sausages to add a sweet element to an otherwise savory and savory dish. Of course, they can also be served with ice cream or yogurt for dessert.

Plum sauce

A sweet and sour condiment made with immature plums and a few other ingredients, plum sauce is not only delicious but also versatile.

Popular in Chinese cuisine, plum sauce is used as a dipping sauce, as a finishing sauce for roast chicken, pork, or duck, as a basting sauce, and also as a glaze for roasted meats such as chicken, pork, and the seafood.

Plum jam

Prune jam is not only a delicious spread on sandwiches, it’s also a great way to use up overripe plums that are about to go bad.

When plums get overripe and soft, they may not taste as good and may not be your first choice for eating raw.

These plums, which are already starting to get soft, can be broken up and crushed to make a delicious plum jam that can be enjoyed for breakfast, or at any time of the day.

Desserts and baked goods

Plums can be used in a wide variety of desserts, both as a topping and as an ingredient. You can make delicious cakes, pies, waffles, ice cream, dumplings and much more.

How to cook with prunes

Prunes are sold in transparent containers, already pitted or with their bone. Which type you choose depends on your personal choice and the requirements of the recipe.

When purchasing prunes, be sure to evaluate their quality and select those that are shiny, plump, relatively soft, and without any growth.

Make sure that the package is tightly closed so that moisture is not lost and the plums have not dried out even more. Try to get prunes that do not contain harmful preservatives , such as sulfites.

For prunes that are or have become very dry, soaking them in hot water for a few minutes can help soften and refresh them.

If you plan to cook the prunes, soaking them in water or juice before cooking will help speed up the process.

Prunes are used in a variety of both sweet and savory dishes, and pair very well with complex flavors such as chocolate, coffee, and chili peppers.

Also, since prunes are naturally sweet and have a high moisture content, you can substitute some of the sugar and oil in your baking recipes if you plan to use prunes.

Some of the easiest ways to incorporate prunes into your diet are

• Eating them plain as a healthy snack,
• Adding them to breakfast cereals or oat flakes,
• Mixing them with other dried fruits, nuts and dark chocolate,
• Adding them to baked goods like cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and cookies,
• Mixing them to make drinks or smoothies,
• mashing them to enjoy plum jam or butter, and
• Adding them to a salty stew.

Related questions

After seeing the differences between prunes and plums, I’m sure you have some more questions for us. Let’s see other information about these two foods.

Can plums be frozen?

Yes, you can easily freeze plums by following a few simple steps and preserve this perfectly ripe summer fruit for use later in the year.

To begin with, you will need to make sure that the plums are at their optimum point of freshness when you put them in the freezer. You can check to see if a plum is soft and ripe, or take a bite into one before making the whole batch.

Wash them well, cut the plums into wedges and carefully core them. You can remove the skin if you want or leave it as is.

Place the wedges on a plastic wrap-lined cookie sheet so they are separated and not touching each other.

Place the baking sheet in the freezer for an hour , or until the plum wedges are frozen, after which you can transfer them to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for about 6 months .

Can prunes be frozen?

Yes, prunes can be frozen in the same way as other dried fruits, such as dried apricots and raisins.

The first step is to remove the prunes from their packaging and separate them into individual portions and freezer bags.

Be sure to squeeze out all the excess air inside the bags and close the bags. Label each bag with the date and place it in a freezer-safe container.

Store containers in the freezer for up to 1 year .

When you want to thaw dried plums, be sure to only remove the amount you need to use, as constant thawing and refreezing can cause the plums’ flavor and texture to deteriorate.

What is the best way to store plums?

The fruit ripens more quickly when kept in a warm environment, so plums that are not yet ripe should be left out at room temperature for a day or two, depending on how hot it is and how ripe the plum is.

Be sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t overripe . Once they are ready, they can be moved to the fridge for a couple of days.

What is the best way to preserve prunes?

Prunes should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, where they will be good for 3-4 months . Being dehydrated, prunes have a longer shelf life than plums.

If the room temperature is higher than usual, such as on very hot days in summer, it is better to store prunes in the refrigerator. This will allow them to stay fresh longer and will keep for about 6 months .

Whether you store prunes in the fridge or in your kitchen pantry, be sure to reseal the container tightly when you open it to prevent the prunes from losing moisture.

What are the best substitutes for fresh plums?

When plums are out of season and you don’t have frozen ones, you have to look for substitutes that might work just as well in place of fresh plums.

As a general rule, one stone fruit can easily be substituted for another, so apricots, peaches, and cherries are great alternatives.

When making jams, you can substitute the plums for the apricots to get the perfect balance of sweet and sour. Be sure to use twice as many apricots, as they are half the size of fresh plums.

For savory dishes that require sweet sauces to accompany them, you can opt for plums or figs. For sweet and sour sauces, you can use golden yellow peaches to complete the meal.

For desserts, like ice cream and cakes, you can substitute cherries and blueberries for the plums for the perfect amount of sweetness combined with just the right amount of tartness. Other options are peaches and tangerines.

What are the best substitutes for prunes?

Prunes are one of the plumpest dried fruits, with a high level of sweetness achieved by the drying process of prunes in prunes.

They are sticky and chewy and make a great ingredient in a wide variety of recipes. But what if you don’t have any prunes? What can you use instead?

When it comes to size, chewiness, and flavor, figs are the best substitute for prunes . Raisins and dates are also good options, but some varieties are not as sweet.

Other alternatives are dried cherries, cranberries, apricots, and persimmons.