Prunus salicina /Lemon plums are one of the most unusual fruits you might stumble across in a local grocery store or market, primarily because they have only recently begun spreading to international markets. A native fruit of Chile, lemon plums, as their name implies, have the color and shape of a lemon (although rounded on one side, and nippled on the other). However, the taste is very similar to a regular plum, with a slightly tangier lemon aftertaste that differentiates it from your garden variety plums you can find widely in stores. Lemon plums are thought to be some sort of hybrid crossover of the two fruits, and may actually be the same fruit known as the “Inca Plum”, which has the scientific name Prunus salicina. [rx] [rx]
After being picked, the ripening time is unusually long, somewhere between 250-300 hours. The color will change from the bright, lemon-yellow to a rosy, red blush, but be patient, as it could take more than a week after you get the lemon plum home before it will be ideal to eat. The fruits are quite rare, so keep your eyes peeled in the markets during their season.
You can find these fruits primarily in North and South America; beyond that, the market simply hasn’t been established yet. However, like many other citrus fruits, they have a good level of nutrients and health benefits for your diet! [rx]
| All about Lemon Plum Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | All about Lemon Plum |
| Colors | Bright, lemon-yellow to a rosy, red blush |
| Shapes | Rounded on one end, pointed on the other |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Health benefits | Supports digestive health, Enhance immunity, Acts as an antioxidant, Assist in weight loss activity, Acts as a sunscreen |
Lemon plum is a fruit which is imported from Chile and now it has become widely known in Canada and United States. This fruit is sweet, juicy, and resembles the taste of a plum. Having a similar shape as a lemon, it has one end rounded and another end with a point. Lemon plums got its name due to the bright yellow color when the fruit is unripe and has sour taste. The color turns to dark reddish-purple when ripe from yellow to golden orange. After the fruit is picked, it requires 250 to 300 hours as a ripening time. It has a fragrant and slightly floral smell.
Facts of Lemon Plum
| Name | Lemon Plum |
|---|---|
| Common/English Name | Chameleon plums |
| Fruit shape & size | Rounded on one end, pointed on the other |
| Fruit color | Bright, lemon-yellow to a rosy, red blush |
| Texture | Firm, crisp |
| Flavor | Mild, sweet |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Health Benefits |
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In the United States, its peak availability is short and within February. It requires low chilling hours that makes it suitable for coastal areas and also Southern California. In Central California, it ripens in August which could be found till the end of the month. The fruit is consumed fresh. It is also eaten when they are yellow with flesh crisp and slightly acidic or after it has fully ripened. It is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber.
History
Lemon plum was initially bred in Israel. It was known as lagoon which is an Arabic term for lemon. The varieties were brought to Chile. Today, it is cultivated there and some harvested ones are exported during winter months to America. This new variety is found in limited quantities from January to March but peaks in February. Lastly, it is harvested in the Chilean fruit season.
Health Benefits of Lemon Plums
Here are some health benefits that could be derived from Lemon plums:
- Supports digestive health
The presence of significant amounts of dietary fiber makes it beneficial for digestive health. Fiber helps to add bulk to the stool, eases digestion, and assists to pass food through the digestive tract. It prevents the chances of constipation and also gastrointestinal problems such as excess gas, bloating, and cramping and also serious health problems such as colon cancer and gastric ulcers. Moreover, fiber also reduces bad cholesterol level which results in lowering the risk of getting heart attacks, atherosclerosis and strokes.
- Enhance immunity
Vitamin C is well known as a vitamin that required strengthening the immune system. Being rich in vitamin C, it acts as antioxidant, promotes counts of white blood cells, prevents damage caused by free radicals and has a significant role in creating new cells, healing wounds and other metabolic processes.
- Acts as antioxidant
Plum lemons also possess high quantities of Vitamin A. Being a carotenoid, Vitamin A changes into beta carotene which assists vision, lower the chances of macular degeneration, lower the chances of premature aging, promote skin quality, and also prevent the chances of cancer by hindering free radical activity in the body.
- Assist in weight loss activity
Lemon plums contain high nutrients, low calories,s and are rich in fiber. It is helpful for people who are trying to lose weight by providing essential nutrients without excess pounds. It makes to feel full and prevents the chances of overeating.
- Acts as a sunscreen
Besides it provides flawless skin, Lemon plums act as sunscreen. The daily consumption of Lemon plums prevents skin from harmful sun rays. It assists to retain radiance when spending some time in the sun.
- Clears dandruff
Lemon plums contain Vitamin C which helps to treat dandruff. It enhances hair growth and cures dry and itchy scalp. It lowers the problems of hair loss caused due to dandruff.
- Detoxifies body
Vitamin C and antioxidants found in Lemon plums counteract the virus which causes flu, influenza, and the common cold. These antioxidants help to detoxify the body.
- Lowers bad cholesterol
Lemon plums contain fiber which lowers bad cholesterol levels in the blood and promotes the level of good cholesterol. It lowers the risk of heart strokes and also other cardiovascular problems. An intake of Lemon plums helps to maintain a healthy heart.
- Treats acne
Lemon plums contain antioxidants that help to lower the clogging of pores those results in acne. Use it to treat damage or spots made by acne. It helps to rebuild damaged tissues which heal spots and blemishes.
- Prevent the loss of hair
Consumption of lemon plums helps to treat damaged hair. It prevents hair damage and also repairs the damaged hair. Lemon plums enhance hair growth by countering factors resulting in hair loss.
- Helpful for diabetics
Lemon plums contain fiber which is soluble in blood. It assists to maintain the proper level of glucose in the blood. The diabetes could be prevented by regulating the level of glucose. The regulation of glucose levels provides enough energy to the body that assists to make people active and also fit.
How to eat
- Consume fresh when they are fully ripe.
- It could be used in baking such as cakes and tarts.
- Add sliced fruits to salads and cheese plates.
- Mix Lemon plums to smoothies with berries and other seasonal fruits.
- It pairs well with apricots, peaches, berries, almonds, vanilla, ginger, cream, nutmeg, cardamom, yogurt, chocolate, and cinnamon.
- Make the salad by mixing with baby kale, mesclun greens, chopped walnuts, sliced avocado, herbed goat cheese, hemp seeds, and sliced lemon plums. Gently toss it with champagne vinaigrette.
- Preserve it by making jam.
Storage
- Store Lemon plums in the refrigerator by putting them in an open plastic bag. It makes them last for two to four weeks.
- For preventing bruising, store plums in an old egg carton.
- For longer storage, process lemon plums in form of jam.
Precautions
- People with medications should consult the doctor before consumption.
- It is better to avoid by allergic people.
- Consume it in moderation.
References
