Prunes vs. Plums – What’s The Difference?

Plants are the photosynthetic eukaryotes belonging to the kingdom Plantae. They include flowering plants, ferns, conifers, hornworts, mosses, gymnosperms, liverworts, algae and fungi etc. There are about 320,000 known species of plants present on Earth. Plants are important for human life because they provide oxygen for human beings.

Plants are also important because they provide food, including fruits and vegetables. Plants are the primary source of producing organic medicine. Plants are grown for aesthetic purposes and used in ornamentation. Plants also provide non-food products that are used for manufacturing purposes. Plants also produce waxes, essential oils, lubricants, plastic etc.

Plants belonging to the genus Prunes are mainly cultivated to obtain fruits or for ornamentation purposes. For example, almonds are cultivated mainly for their seeds and peaches and plums are cultivated mainly for their fruits. The fruits of plums are either eaten fresh or eaten in dried form. The dried plums are called prunes. These are a good source of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B2.

Prunes and plums are good carbohydrates, amino acids, fibers and minerals. This article will discuss how prunes and plums differ from each other. Although they are the same fruit, there is a little different in their shape, form and taste. So, keep reading to find out the difference between prunes and plums.

Plums

Plums are juicy and fleshy fruits that belong to the same family as peaches, cherries, apricots and nectarines. The majority of these fruits are cultivated in Romania, Serbia, the United States and China. Plums are eaten in fresh form and as an ingredient in several sweet dishes. There is a variety of different types of plums.

Plums can be a yellow, red, green or purple color. They have sweet edible skin and are round or heart-shaped. The plums are generally red and contain a seed in the center that is un-edible. They contain flesh of yellow color. There are many types of plums, and the most famous types of plums are European and Japanese.

They are available from May to October and have a juicy and sweet taste. These are classified as soft fruit. Plums are often covered with white powder.

Nutritional Value of Plums

Plums are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin k and folate. Plums contain 30 calories per fruit. They contain about 0.2 grams of fat, 103.6 milligrams of potassium, 0.5 grams of protein and 8 grams of carbohydrates. Plums contain about 10% vitamin C and 1% magnesium.

Uses of Plums

Plums are used as an ingredient for cooking a variety of dishes. We can use plums as pickled plums, caramelized plums and poached plums. Plums are also used in making sauce, jams and bakery products. People also eat plums as a fruit because of their sweet and juicy taste.

Health Benefits of Plums

Plums are rich in vitamin c and beneficial for the heart, muscles and eyes. Plums have antioxidants that help control anxiety. Plums contain potassium important for maintaining normal blood flow and preventing vascular diseases like stroke. Plums also control blood pressure. Plums reduce bone losses and prevent constipation.

Plums contain vitamin c that is important for eye health. Plums contain carotenoids that protect against the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. Plums also contain selenium that strengthens the immune system of humans.

Prunes

Prunes are dried plums, and the process of drying gives them a darker and wrinkled look. Three different types of plums used in the making of prunes are Prunus Americans, Prunus domestica and Prunus salicina. These varieties of plums are reserved for drying. Prunes are chewy, sticky and they have a concentrated sweetness.

Prunes have a stick that is easier to remove, and these are mostly used in cooking. Dried prunes are famous for their laxative effects.

Nutritional Value of Prunes

Prunes are packed with fibers and are a powerhouse of minerals and vitamins. Minerals included in the prunes are potassium, sodium and retinol. In a serving of 100 grams, prunes contain about 240 calories. The total fat is about 0.4 grams, sodium 2 milligrams, potassium 732 milligrams and total carbohydrates are about 64 grams. Protein content in 100 grams serving is 2.2 grams. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Uses of Prunes

Prunes are either eaten alone or along with breakfast as a snack. Prunes are mixed with other dried fruits and added to baked products. Juices of prunes are famous worldwide. Prunes are also used to make jams and cookies.

Health Benefits of Prunes

One prune provides 3 percent of recommended daily dose of vitamin A and is beneficial for eye health. Eating prunes can prevent eye disorders like night blindness, cataracts, dry eyes and muscular degeneration. Prunes are rich in antioxidants, and they help prevent cell membrane damage from free radicals.

Like plums, prunes also contain potassium and are beneficial for maintaining normal heart health. The juice of prunes has laxative properties and is useful for relieving constipation. The prunes are a rich source of iron, and they also improve hair health, preventing hair loss. The vitamins and minerals that are present in prunes maintain healthy skin.

So What’s the Difference Between Plums and Prunes?

Both the plums and prunes belong to the same plant genus called Prunus. The prunes are derived from plums. Plums are eaten fresh, while the prunes are eaten in a dried form. Plums have a wine red appearance, while the prunes have a dark red appearance. Plums are mostly present in heart shape, while the prunes are oval.

Plums are relative of almonds and cherries, while prunes are plums. Every prune is a dried plum, but not all the plums are dried into prunes. So, we can say that all prunes are a type of plums, but not all plums are prunes. Therefore, plums and prunes are similar to some extent, and prunes are just dried plums.

Sources

• SpoonUniversity
• Mashed
• Pediaa