My family loves these tiny dark fruits. Plums range in color from red to deep purple and come in several varieties. They can be purchased in stores from May all the way up until October.

What is so special about the plum? Did you know that once they are dried, they are better known as plums? Most people probably know that fact. But, my favorite type of plum is not actually a pure plum at all. It is called a dragon plum. Their common name is a pluot because it is a cross between a plum and an apricot. Pluots come in several varieties with golden to reddish colored flesh that resembles that of a plum.

Plums range in taste from very tart to mildly sweet. The skin of a plum is smooth to the touch and doesn’t wrinkle. Slightly squeeze a plum when picking up the fruit. If it is too hard, the fruit will tend towards the tart side. A softer fruit will be sweeter. If they are too soft, they are probably overripe and won’t last long after you buy them.