The origin of the European plum is unknown but it probably originated in the Caucasus Mountains in the area near the Caspian Sea.

The Japanese plum actually originated in China and was first introduced to Japan in the 16th century.

Plums came to North America with British settlers.

The earliest reference to plum history in the American colonies was in 1771 from Prince Nursery in Flushing, New Year, where they advertised “33 kinds of plums” for sale.

History/Origin

Botanical

Plums are related to the cherry and are members of the rose family.

There are more than 200 varieties of plums that are derived from two basic types: European and Japanese plum.

Plums have a single large oval seed, which may be a freestone or clingstone depending on whether the flesh clings to it or not.

European plums are oval or oblong whereas Japanese plums are round to heart-shaped. Skin color varies, too.

Plums contain some vitamin C and small quantities of other vitamins and minerals.

Their sweetness comes from natural sugars that are digested slowly, giving plums a low glycemic index (GI).

Red-fleshed varieties have more nutrients than plums with yellow flesh. They also have a higher sugar content and, therefore, a sweeter flavor.

Nutrition

The plum is mentioned in the nursery rhyme “Little Jack Horner.”

Prunes are dried plums. California is the world’s largest producer of dried plums, supplying 48% of the world’s supply and 99% of the U.S. supply.

More than one hundred varieties of plum stones were found on Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545.

Plum trees are grown on every continent except Antarctica.

Fun Facts