How to Ripen Plums: 3 Tips for Ripening Plums

Plums are a sweet type of stone fruit rich in fiber and vitamin C. Learn how to ripen plums for the best flavor experience.

1. 1. Pick plums that are heavy for their size. If you have access to a plum tree, look for plums that are heavy, soft, and detach from the tree with a small tug. Alternatively, buy unripe plums at the grocery store. Similar to other unripe fruits sold at the grocery store—like apricots, nectarines, and kiwis—plums continue to ripen after they’re picked.
2. 2. Store unripe plums at room temperature. Store your plums in a room with a moderate temperature—preferably between sixty-eight and seventy-seven degrees Fahrenheit.
   
3. 3. Monitor the ripening process. Plums can ripen anywhere between a few days to a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on your plums and check for ripening. Ripe plums are soft and sweetly aromatic. Check the color of the plums as well—different types of plums change into different colors, but generally, ripe plums turn a darker purple color.
4. 4. Store ripe plums in the refrigerator. Once your plums are ripe, place them in a bowl and set them in the fridge. Ripe fruit can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
5. 5. Prepare your plums. Eat ripe plums as soon as possible or use them in smoothies or dessert dishes like pies. You can also dry ripe plums to turn them into prunes.

Plums ripen well on a countertop as long as they are kept at room temperature. Cold temperatures cause plums to develop an unpleasant mealy flavor. Avoid placing plums in a location near direct sunlight as heat can cause plums to rot. To speed up the ripening process, place plums in a paper bag and close the top. Ripening fruit produces ethylene gas—a closed paper bag naturally traps this gas and accelerates the ripening process.

Consider a few simple tips when ripening plums.

1. 1. Avoid using plastic bags. Plastic bags suffocate plums. When storing plums, use a breathable material—preferably a brown paper bag.
2. 2. Include other fruit in the paper bag. To speed up the ripening process even more, include a banana or apple in the paper bag alongside your plums. The additional ethylene gas produced by these fruits will create ripe, juicy plums faster. Ripen fruit like honeydew melons and mangos using this method as well.
3. 3. Refrigerate your plums carefully. Make sure your plums are completely ripe before storing them in the refrigerator for later use. If you place plums in the fridge too soon, they can lose their flavor and texture.

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