What is the Difference Between Prunes and Plums

The main difference between prunes and plums is their taste and appearance. Plums are oval, fleshy and juicy fruits while prunes are dried plums. Plums are sweet and juicy have a pleasingly tart aftertaste, while prunes are sticky, chewy and have a concentrated sweetness.

Both prunes and plums have many health benefits. The main fact you have to know about prunes and plums is that prunes are the dried form of plums. Both are used in various types of cuisines all over the world.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Plums
     – Definition, Features
2. What are Prunes
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Prunes and Plums
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Fruits, Plums, Prunes

What are Plums

Plums are oval, fleshy and juicy fruits with a stone at the centre, which grow on trees in the Prunus genus. They have smooth edible skin and sweet flesh surrounding the stone (pit). When eating or cooking, the stone must be discarded since it is inedible.  Moreover, they are covered with a white powder called a bloom.

There are several varieties of plums. Depending on the variety, they can be red, purple, green or even yellow. Plums are grown throughout the world. The United States, China, Romania, and Serbia are the main commercial cultivators of plums. A plum tree can produce many fruits; fruits usually fill every branch and often ripen all at once.

Plums are also used in various types of cuisines all over the world. We can eat plums in their raw form – they make a fresh and sweet snack. Cooks also use plums in baking. Sometimes, they are boiled to make jams and sauces.

What are Prunes

Prunes are dried plums. The drying process gives them a darker colour and a wrinkled appearance. Prunes are made from specific varieties of plums that are reserved for drying, rather than consuming as fresh fruits. Prunus domestica, Prunus americana and Prunus salicina are three plum verities that contribute to the production of most prunes.

Moreover, prunes are very healthy and we can eat them as a snack. We can also incorporate them into sweet foods as well as savoury foods. Prunes are extremely healthy and give you many benefits. They have approximately five times the amount of calories in plums. They also have a higher amount of macronutrients, fibre, and minerals. Since prunes are dehydrated, they also have a longer shelf-life than plums.

Difference Between Prunes and Plums

Definition

Plums are oval, fleshy and juicy fruits with a stone at the centre, while prunes are dried plums.

Appearance

Plums are fleshy, juicy, and mostly red or purple in colour. They are also covered by a white powder. Prunes, on the other hand, are darker in colour and have a wrinkled appearance.

Taste

Plums are sweet and juicy with a pleasantly tart aftertaste, while prunes are sticky, chewy and have a concentrated sweetness.

Nutrient Content

Both plums and prunes are extremely nutritious. However, prunes have a higher amount of macronutrients, fibre, minerals, and calories than plums.

Conclusion

Plums are fleshy and mostly red or purple in colour and are covered by a white powder. Prunes, on the other hand, are darker in colour and have a wrinkled appearance. Plums are oval, fleshy and juicy fruits while prunes are dried plums. Plums are sweet and juicy have a pleasingly tart aftertaste, while prunes are sticky, chewy and have a concentrated sweetness. Hence, this is the main difference between prunes and plums.

Reference:

1. Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “What Are Prunes.” The Spruce Eats, Available here.
2. Watson, Molly. “What Are Plums.” The Spruce Eats, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Plum Plums Fresh Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix
2. “Dry plum, nutrition, food, dish” (CC0) via Pixino