Can You Freeze Plums?

If you’re looking for a quick, healthy snack to take on the go, look no further than plums. Plums are delicious and packed with vitamins and nutrients that can help keep your body running smoothly. Since this is a seasonal fruit, you may wonder if you can freeze plums for later.

So, can you freeze plums? Yes, you can freeze plums. Due to their high water content, they freeze exceptionally well. Plums can be frozen in halves, wedges, and sliced. Properly stored, plums can last in the freezer for about 6 to 12 months.

Contents show

What Are Plums?

A plum is a fruit that comes from a tree or bush that belongs to the genus Prunus. Most plums are sweet and juicy, with few exceptions. The skin of the plum is smooth and shiny, protecting the fleshy interior from damage.

There are two basic types of plums: European and Japanese. They have slight differences in taste, texture, size, color, and shape. The European type has yellow-colored flesh while Japanese varieties have red-skinned fruits with white flesh. Both are great for cooking due to their high level of natural sugar which makes them perfect for making food that requires sweetness.

Does Plum Freeze Well?

While plums are certainly delicious when fresh, they also freeze well.

When frozen, plums retain much of their original flavor and texture, which makes them perfect for use in smoothies or any other recipes that call for fresh fruit.

How To Freeze Plum?

While freezing plums can be a great way to preserve them for later use, there are some steps you should take to ensure that they will last through the freezing process.

Below are the different ways to freeze plums:

How to Freeze Plums Raw and Whole

Step 1: Clean

Start by washing the plums thoroughly with clean water. This will help remove debris and remove some of the pesticides from it.

Step 2: Remove Seed

Cut the plum in halves and remove the seed that’s in there.

Step 3: Place In Storage Container

In a freezer bag, place the plums in it. Then press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it.

Step 4: Label and Freeze

With a marker, write the date of freezing on the bag. This will help you keep track of how long the plums have been in the freezer and when to use before it goes bad.

Then place the bag of plums into the freezer for storage.

How To Freeze Plum Crumble?

If you’re planning to freeze plum crumble, there are a couple of steps you need to prepare first.

To freeze plum crumble, prepare the dish as you normally would.

Since you’re going to freeze them, avoid baking them.

With cling wrap or aluminum foil, cover it tightly all around so no air can get in. Then place them in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.

When you’re ready to eat plum crumble, remove them from the freezer and defrost it in the fridge overnight. After it’s thawed, simply place them in the oven to bake it.

How Long Can You Freeze Plum?

Freezing plums is a great way to extend their shelf life and preserve them for use during the winter months. Depending on how it’s frozen, plums can last for up to 12 months.

For frozen whole raw and prepared plums, you can freeze them for up to 6 months. Within this timeframe, there will be no loss in flavor or texture.

However, if you have plums that are frozen in syrup or stewed, the fruit can last for up to 12 months in the freezer. The syrup provides a barrier to prevent moisture and air from reaching the plum.

How Do You Defrost Plum?

Defrosting plum can be a rather simple process, but if you do it the wrong way, you run the risk of causing damage to your fruit.

If you’re going to eat the plums raw, remove them from the freezer and place them into the fridge. Let it thaw overnight or for at least 6 hours before consuming it. You want to avoid thawing them at room temperature as it will cause them to thaw unevenly. The plums will end up with a soggy texture once it’s completely thawed.

On the other hand, if you’re going to use plums in smoothies, there’s no need to defrost them. Simply remove the frozen plums from the freezer and place them directly into the blender.

Can You Refreeze Plums?

You can refreeze plum, but keep in mind that it will be less flavorful the second time around.

If you do decide to refreeze them, ensure that the fruit has not thawed completely yet. You can then refreeze them with just a little flavor and texture change.

On the other hand, if the plums have thawed completely, it’s recommended to not freeze them again. Refreezing the plums will cause the texture to become soft and lose most of its flavor.

Conclusion

Plum is a tasty fruit that we all love. It contains many nutrients and can be added as a topping in many dishes. But plum is a seasonal fruit. You can follow the above steps and drastically increase the life of plums by freezing them.