Plum variety prunes, its features and benefits

How to prepare plums for drying

Now the plum needs to be prepared for the drying process, let's look at how to make prunes at home.

It is important that the process of storing the fruit is not delayed for more than 3 days, as ripe plums will start to deteriorate and ferment. ... The drain must be thoroughly rinsed.

Rinse until the water becomes clear.

The plum must be thoroughly rinsed. Rinse until the water becomes clear.

The fruits must be sorted by size, since the time of their preparation depends on this. You also need to remove the bones.

Also, before that, it is necessary to blanch the plums in a 1% soda solution. In other words, sprinkle them with hot water and baking soda for 25-30 seconds. This is necessary so that the tissues of the plums become softer, and their cells are larger, and so that the fruits lose excess air. Next, the drain must be thoroughly rinsed again.

At the last stage, the fruits will need to be cooled. After you complete all these processes, you will see small cracks on the skin. This is correct, since they will promote the release of water during drying, the juice will remain inside.

Harvesting dried fruits

Since the Prune variety is excellent for drying and harvesting its fruits, you should touch a little on the topic of preparing prunes for storage.

Description of the process of drying plum fruits.

For drying and obtaining prunes, ripe fruits without signs of rotting or insect damage are selected.
Plums are well washed in water, sorted by size.
Next, the fruits are doused with boiling water. Additionally, it is recommended to immerse the plums in a 1% caustic soda solution for 20-30 seconds. This is done in order to get rid of the thin layer of wax on the skin of the fruit. However, drying is permissible without this procedure.

Drying of processed drains can be done in the sun, in an oven or in special electric drying cabinets. This process is carried out at a temperature of about 50 ° C for several hours. All this time, it is necessary to visually monitor the condition of the fruit in order to prevent overdrying.

The pulp of the finished prune is significantly reduced in volume, but remains soft and fleshy. It should be easily separated from the bone.

You will see how to cook prunes at home in the next video.

Description

Plum "Prune" is considered a tall plant, as an adult tree can reach a height of 4 meters. But also this variety has high yields and resistance to frost, as well as to droughts. We also note that this type of plum is self-fertile and produces a harvest every year.

Plum fruits are quite large. They are round in shape and have a rough skin. The weight of one fruit is on average 50 grams. The color of ripe fruits is dark blue, and the flesh is yellow-green with a granular structure and few fibers. The seeds of such a plum are also large, but they are perfectly separated from the pulp. The ripeness of the fruits overtakes in early autumn, but the yield level is not regular.

This variety passed tasting tests, where it received a score of 4 out of a possible 5 points. After harvesting and transporting the crop, it is not damaged and does not lose its taste after harvesting. It can also be noted that the plum is unpretentious to care for.

If it is frosty weather or strong wind outside, then the plum perfectly tolerates such influences. But also this variety of plum is resistant to various diseases and pests. In order for "Prunes" to bear fruit well, gardeners recommend that other varieties grow along with this variety.

During flowering, large brown buds appear on the tree. The shoots themselves are short and straight. The foliage is green with a corrugated surface, it appears during the flowering period of the tree.

Plum variety Prunes, general characteristics

Plum variety Prunes are distinguished by their large tree height, with a rounded crown and loose leaf cover. The bark is smooth, grayish in color. Leaves are medium in size and ovoid.

Other features include:

According to the ripening period, it belongs to the middle-late varieties. Fruiting is frequent, but there may be breaks in frequency;
Plum Prunes are a large-fruited variety. Fruits are round, elongated in shape with a dense, slightly sour taste, skin. The color is dark, almost black. The pulp is juicy, green-yellow in color, sweet in taste and grainy-fibrous in structure;
The variety is frost-resistant and drought-resistant, resistant to fungal diseases;
Flowering begins simultaneously with the appearance of the leaves.

For a number of indicators, this species compares favorably with others. The only disadvantages include the frequency of fruiting and late ripening.

How is it grown

In order for such a variety of plums to feel great, develop and grow, it is recommended for planting to choose those places that are practically not ventilated and have no drafts.

Experienced gardeners also recommend:

to plant a seedling of the variety in early spring, and prepare the pits themselves either in the fall or a few weeks before planting the sprout;
landing pits should be at least half a meter deep and 70 cm in diameter;
during planting, it is recommended not to lower the root collar of the seedling lower than 7 cm from the soil surface, otherwise the tree will grow more slowly;
for planting a seedling of this type of plum, loose soil with a high air permeability rate and with normalized acidity is optimal;
gardeners also recommend pouring a mixture of humus in a ratio of 2 to 1 before planting a tree at the bottom of a dug hole;
in the event that several seedlings are planted, then it is necessary to maintain a distance of 3 meters between them.

During cultivation, it is important not to forget the fact that this variety prefers regular watering. Due to what it is undesirable for the soil around the plant to dry out, since there will be bad flower ovaries, on which the yield depends

During cultivation, if the owner wants to get a lot of harvest, it is necessary to carry out regular pruning of root shoots, and if this is not taken into account, the tree weakens and gives much less yield.

Growing conditions

Planting and caring for Prune fruit trees do not differ significantly from the process of growing other types of plums. Like most plum crops, "Prunes" thrive best in moderately lit areas. Planting along buildings or non-deaf fences is permissible.

Despite the drought tolerance, trees must receive enough moisture for better fruiting and good taste. With a serious lack of it, the plum will not die, but the pulp of the fruit will significantly lose its juiciness and taste.

Recommended soil characteristics and properties:

the soil in the place of planting and growing the tree should be sufficiently loose and soft; heavy clay soils are not recommended;
it is advisable to periodically carry out loosening in the root zone of the seedling in the first years of development, this will facilitate the access of oxygen to the root system;
plum does not like soil with high acidity, in such a soil its roots develop much more slowly, which affects the rate of development of the entire tree and its fruiting.

Plum trees are not recommended for lowland and shaded areas. The plant should receive enough sunlight throughout the day.

The crop will not thrive in areas where groundwater flows in large quantities. Avoid planting a plum tree in open areas with regular strong winds or drafts. In the winter months, these factors greatly weaken the plant.

Planting seedlings

Planting young plants in the ground is most favorable in the first months of spring, after the snow melts and the soil thaws. In the middle lane, landing is best done no later than mid-April. The seedling pit is prepared in advance, in the fall or several weeks before planting.

Well preparation

The best option is to prepare the pit at the end of autumn. In this case, much more nutritious humus can form there. In addition, the soil will have time to undergo loosening by earthworms and become more uniform.

After the autumn digging of the soil, removing weeds and harvesting fallen leaves, a hole is dug in the place designated for planting. The depth of the seedling hole should be about half a meter, the diameter is about 60-70 cm.If clay predominates in the soil, the hole should be deepened to 0.7 m.

At the bottom of the planting hole, you need to add 2-3 buckets of organic fertilizers. It can be a mixture of humus, compost, stove ash, manure. The organic matter is mixed with the soil in a ratio of 2: 1. On top of the pit, a small layer of surface soil is sprinkled. You can insulate the hole with a covering material or spruce branches so that the decay process is more intense.
Saplings are planted so that the distance between the rows is at least 3 meters. In a row, trees should be located at a distance of 2.5-3 meters from each other.

Landing is best done together. One person should keep the seedling at the right height so as not to sprinkle the neck, the second person will be sprinkling the root system and compacting the soil. The root collar, after complete digging, should remain at a height of 3-5 cm from the soil.
The planted seedlings should be watered regularly and abundantly, and fed in the first 3-4 years. Young plum trees begin to bear fruit in the 4th year after planting in the main place.

Natural drying of prunes

It is recommended to choose plum varieties with large dark-colored fruits, sweet taste and easily separating pits as a raw material for obtaining prunes, for example "Ugorka", "Tragedy", "Hungarian Wanheim" or "Hungarian Azhanskaya".

To prepare 1 kg of prunes, you will need to take 4.5 kg of fully ripe dense fruits. The process of harvesting prunes itself is carried out in several ways - in natural conditions, in the oven and in an electric dryer. It will take 8-10 days to harvest prunes using the natural method. The process itself includes several stages:

Preparation. Before laying out for drying, the stalks are removed from the plums selected for harvesting, then they are washed, divided into halves. They are laid out on wooden trays in one layer, cut up, at some distance from each other.
Drying in the sun. To carry it out, trays with plums are taken out into the air and placed in the sun. Covering with gauze from insects, soak for about 5 days. To prevent mold from forming on them during this time, the fruits must be turned over several times daily.
Drying in the shade. Already dried plums should be transferred to a shaded place and kept there for about 3-4 days.

Advice. Harvesting prunes will be faster if the fruits are pre-blanched by dipping 1 tbsp in boiling water with soda for a minute.soda per 1 liter of water, and then, removing, rinse with cold water. Cracks formed on the plum skin will allow the pulp to dry faster.

Features of the choice of prunes

When choosing dried fruits, you need to pay attention to the appearance of the product. Quality prunes have the following properties:. fruit color is dark blue almost black; not overdried, soft and elastic to the touch; the taste is sweet and sour, there is no bitterness.

fruit color is dark blue almost black;
not overdried, soft and elastic to the touch;
the taste is sweet and sour, there is no bitterness.

The faded color and shine indicate that the dried fruit was treated with glycerin to improve its presentation. In addition, an unscrupulous manufacturer may substitute fat of unknown origin for glycerin.

If the fruit is brownish, it means that it was scalded for disinfection. This is, of course, better than chemical treatment, but also not very good. These coffee-colored prunes are more likely to have a bitter taste.

Purchased prunes are placed in a glass container with a lid or paper bag and stored in a dark, dry place. Do not use plastic dishes or plastic bags to store it. Before eating, the fruits must be washed with hot water.

In conclusion, I would like to note that prunes go well with nuts, cottage cheese, pumpkin, oranges, veal. It gives an original touch to meat dishes, and with porridge it is the best option for breakfast.

This magnificent dried fruit not only strengthens health, but also improves mood, raises vitality and helps keep the body in good shape.

External features

Mature prune trees are quite tall. They often reach a height of 4 meters. During flowering, this plum produces large flowering buds. Shoots of a fruit tree are straight, not long, on average about half a meter. The leaves are dense and thick, have a corrugated structure. The fruits of this culture are large. Their average weight is 40-45 g. Plums have a characteristic vertical stripe and a depression next to the stalk. Ripe fruits are round or oval in shape.

Preparing plums for drying

Having decided on the choice of a variety for preparing dried plums, you can proceed to the preparatory processing of fresh fruits.

Cooking prunes is not an easy process, as it may initially seem. If you simply dry the plums, then the prunes will not work out of them. The fruit will lose its juice, become too hard and the surface of the fruit will turn brown instead of black. To get a tasty and healthy dried fruit, plums should be carefully prepared for drying.

Before starting the drying process, the fruits are stored in a covered area in baskets. The volume of fruit in one basket does not exceed 16 kg. Fruits are stored for three days. This is necessary to ensure the softness of the plum, which will later become a property of the prune. If this period is extended, then fermentation processes will begin to occur in the harvested fruits. Naturally, before drying the plums, they are washed well. This is done several times in a row. When the water after washing the fruit becomes clear, then this procedure can be completed.
Then the plums are sorted, that is, large plums are separated from small ones. The plums are then checked for tainted fruits that cannot be used to make prunes. At the end of the research procedure, the fruit is thoroughly washed again. But this preparation of the plums for drying is not over yet.
Next, the blanching procedure is carried out. That is, the fruits are heat treated: they are placed in hot water. This process helps soften the tissues of the fruit, as well as displace air from the plum and increase the size of the cells. In addition, when the fruit is placed in water, oxidative enzymes are broken down. During blanching, only a small amount of ascorbic acid is lost from the important elements. The number of the remaining significant substances remains almost unchanged. But, treatment with water alone is not enough.
To get rid of the waxy part from the surface of the fruit, an alkaline treatment is used. For such a procedure, a boiling 1% solution of cautic soda is suitable. Plums lie in it for 15 - 20 seconds. But here you need to know that at home plums may not be completely washed off after processing. Therefore, potash should be used instead of caustic soda. After processing with alkali, the fruit is cooled.

Preparing plums for drying

How to properly dry prunes

Prunes are prepared from well-ripened fruits that have accumulated a maximum of sugar and nutrients. Fruits that have fallen from a tree have the optimum degree of ripeness.

When selecting for drying, rotten, wormy, damaged plums should be rejected.

The most suitable for collection and subsequent drying are fruits with slightly wrinkled skin, containing a minimum of water. You can achieve such a state of falling plums by stopping watering the trees in advance (about 30 days before the harvest ripens).

The process of preparing prunes has its own characteristics. It is impossible to achieve the required product quality by drying plums alone.

In this case, the fruits will lose their juice, their pulp will acquire excessive rigidity, and the skin will not be black, but brown.

To obtain prunes, special preparation of berries is required.

To obtain the required product, special preparation of berries is required, its stages:

Storage of drains undergoing drying is carried out in baskets located on the territory of covered areas. The maximum number of fruits placed in them should not exceed 16 kg. In this form, the fruit can be stored for up to 3 days in order to avoid spoilage of the plum due to fermentation processes.
Before drying, the fruits are thoroughly washed until the water obtained after rinsing them becomes absolutely clean.
Then the plum is sorted, separating large from small, with subsequent rejection of berries that are not suitable for drying.
The selected fruits are washed and blanched in hot water again. This softens their tissues, removes the air contained in them and leads to the expansion of the drain cells. In the process of blanching, oxidizing elements are destroyed with almost complete preservation of vitamins and other valuable substances.
To remove wax deposits from the surface of the berries, they are dipped for 15–20 seconds in 1% solution of caustic soda. At home, it is difficult to completely wash off the remnants of soda from the fruit, so it is better to replace it with potash.
Cooling drains, while on their surface many cracks are formed. They provide a slow release of moisture from the fruit, preventing the skin from bursting with a rapid loss of all juice, which will exclude the receipt of real prunes.

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Preparing fruits for drying will not give the desired result if you do not adhere to the special rules for performing this process. It is not as simple as it might seem.

For this purpose, in production conditions, multi-level drying cabinets or tunnel (channel) dryers are used.

Initially, the fruit wilts slightly at 40-50 ° C for 3-5 hours to prevent bursting. Then the temperature is raised and drying is continued until the dried fruit acquires the required condition.

At this stage, biochemical processes take place in the tissues of the fruit, ensuring the acquisition of its characteristic taste qualities by the prune.

For the production of prunes in production conditions, multi-tiered drying cabinets or tunnel (channel) dryers are used.

Chemical composition of the product

Before considering the beneficial properties and contraindications of prunes, you should find out its composition. In fact, this product is a dried plum. But for obtaining this dried fruit, only certain varieties are suitable, for example, Vengerka. The best quality prunes are obtained from fruits with small stones, which contain a sufficient amount of sugar.

For drying, take juicy, ripe fruits and pre-blanch them. Then cooled in running water and dried in a steam dryer or in the sun.

Prunes contain the following substances:

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a nicotinic acid;
gamma tocopherol;
folic acid;
alpha-tocopherol;
ascorbic acid;
phylloquinone;
beta carotene;
alpha carotene;
biotin;
riboflavin;
pectins;
organic acids: citric, oxalic, malic;
vegetable fiber;
glucose, fructose, sucrose.

In addition, this dried fruit contains many micro and macro elements:

potassium;
silicon;
magnesium;
sodium;
calcium;
chlorine;
phosphorus;
sulfur;
iodine;
cobalt;
iron;
boron;
aluminum;
vanadium;
zinc;
rubidium;
nickel;
copper;
molybdenum.

The energy value of 100 g of prunes, which is about 10 fruits, is 231 kcal.

Care advice

It is important to know the following. ... Plum trees provide intensive root growth

It should be uprooted or cut down at least 4 times per season. Young shoots significantly weaken the development of the tree, deplete the root system. This ultimately leads to a decrease in fruiting. During the active formation of ovaries, the root zone of the plant should be regularly loosened. It is important to ensure systematic watering during this period. Such measures will have a positive effect on the quantity and quality of the fall harvest. It is recommended to suspend watering the trees about a month before ripening and harvesting. After harvesting the main crop, excess plums should be removed from under the tree. Fruit rot on the soil should not be allowed. This process is fraught with the development of microorganisms-pests, fungal diseases of the fruit crop.

Plum trees produce intensive root growth. It should be uprooted or cut down at least 4 times per season. Young shoots significantly weaken the development of the tree, deplete the root system. This ultimately leads to a decrease in fruiting.
During the active formation of ovaries, the root zone of the plant should be regularly loosened. It is important during this period to ensure systematic watering. Such measures will have a positive effect on the quantity and quality of the fall harvest.
It is recommended to stop watering the trees about a month before ripening and harvesting.
After harvesting the main crop, excess plums should be removed from under the tree. Fruit rot on the soil should not be allowed. This process is fraught with the development of microorganisms-pests, fungal diseases of the fruit crop.

Plum varieties similar in quality and properties:

"Home Hungarian";

Hungarian Korneevskaya;

"Uralsky prunes".

Planting and caring for plums

The care and quality of the soil are not factors that play a major role in obtaining a rich harvest. Like many other stone fruits, prunes love sunny places, they cannot stand drafts and cold, gusty winds.For planting, a place along the southern wall of the building, the area along the fence, etc. is suitable.

In one row, the distance between trees should be at least 2.5 and no more than three meters, the width of the row spacing is three meters. It is better to prepare the planting hole in advance so that the earth settles, somewhere in two weeks. The pit should be 50 cm deep and 65-70 cm wide. Take 2 parts of soil from the hole and mix with one part of rotted manure. The root collar should be 3-5 cm above the ground. The result of its deepening may be that the plum will ache, dry out, and its harvest will be poor.

It is recommended to water prunes, they like moisture. If you notice a massive fall of leaves ahead of time, then the root system does not have enough moisture. But there are also troublesome moments, we are talking about root shoots, which must be removed 4-6 times per season. If these recommendations are neglected, the prunes will be depleted, its fruits will be small, there will not be many of them.

Like other plums, prunes are suitable for loose soils, with good air exchange and medium acidity. If underground waters come close to the surface of the earth on your site, it is not recommended to plant prunes there.

Prunes are widely used in cooking. It is part of the dishes for baby food, such products are extremely tasty and healthy, kids eat them with pleasure. On its basis, homemade tinctures are made, and if all recommendations are followed, you will get a delicious drink with a pleasant aroma, which you can pamper yourself and your loved ones with on weekdays and holidays.

Care rules

The soil for planting should be loose, with good air permeability and normal acidity. You should not choose a place in lowlands where groundwater is close to the surface. The distance between the trees should be about 3 meters.

Before planting the plant, it is necessary to mix soil with humus in the planting pit (put 1 part of humus on 2 parts of the earth). The root collar of the planted tree should be above the ground, as a buried planting can cause slow growth and impair the fruiting of the plum.

After planting, the tree should be watered and root shoots that can weaken the tree be removed several times a year.

You should stop watering the tree about a month before harvesting. Proper care will ensure abundant fruiting of prunes.

Drying tips

There are many varieties of prunes. Not all of them are suitable for drying. Do not dry too large fruits. They can rot during the drying process. It is better to choose plums weighing no more than 40 g. Fruits harvested before they are completely ripe are not suitable for drying. Better to let them wither slightly on the branches.

There are some requirements for obtaining high-quality prunes:

the proportion of dry matter in the drain should be about 20%;
sugar content not less than 12%;
the component of moisture and acids is not more than 1%;
fruit weight 30–40 g;
the skin is dark blue;
fruit without damage with a small bone.

The most popular among all varieties for making prunes is Vengerka. It is very tasty, contains a lot of sugar and dries very well.

There are several varieties of this plum:

Hungarian Italian is a self-fertile mid-season plant. Feels good in warm places. In severe frosts, it may die. Poorly tolerates drought. The first time fruits appear at 4–5 years of age.
Hungarian Home is distinguished by late ripening of fruits. Loves warmth. Fruits appear 7–8 years after planting. Hungarian Wangenheim belongs to early ripening varieties. It tolerates low temperatures and various diseases well. Unpretentious in the choice of soil. Flowers need to be pollinated to get a good harvest. Fruiting begins 6 years after planting.
Hungarian Korneevskaya is a mid-season plum. She is self-fertile. Easily tolerates frost and dry weather. Fruits appear at 3-4 years of life of the tree.

To obtain prunes, you need to select only fully ripe fruits. Before starting drying, the selected plums must be thoroughly washed, then sorted by size. After that, wash again and pour over with boiling water. Dip plums in 1% caustic soda solution for no more than 20 seconds. This procedure will remove wax deposits from the skin. Then you need to wash off the soda remaining on the surface of the fruit and cool the plums. Further, the fruits are laid in special dryers. There the fruits are dried at a temperature of about 50 ° C for 3 to 5 hours.

After the time has elapsed, the temperature must be increased and wait until the prunes reach the desired condition.

At home, there are two options for drying plums: in a conventional oven or on the street.

In the oven, plums are dried in 3 stages:

The fruits are aged for about 4 hours at a temperature of 45 ° C. Then the oven turns off, the plums are cooled for 4 hours.
The fruits are again for about 4 hours in the oven preheated to 60 ° C. Subsequent cooling takes the same amount of time.
For 10 hours the plums are kept in the oven at a temperature of 75 ° C. In the last minutes, you need to increase the temperature to 100 ° C. This contributes to the appearance of shine on the surface of the fruit.

The second option for making prunes: the fruits are laid out in an even layer on suitable sheets and exposed to direct sunlight. The process will take 5 days. During this time, the plums must be turned over, otherwise they may become moldy. After that, the fruits are moved to a shaded place, and there they are until completely dried.

Adyghe prunes

Plum prunes Adyghe: description of the variety and characteristics

Adyghe prune: photo of the variety

The plum of the Adygei prune variety was bred by the Maikop-VIR experimental station, by sowing an ordinary seed, in the first half of the 20th century, the predecessors of this hybrid are unknown today, at the end of the 20th century, the variety was added to the State Register, in the North Caucasus region.

A very majestic tree, branching is of medium size, the crown is slightly oval, rarely leafy. The top of the crown is formed by a narrow roundness, at the base it looks like a wide wedge, up to 60 centimeters a tree trunk, if you measure the girth, it reaches up to 35 centimeters. The bark of the tree is smooth to the touch, painted in a light gray color. Lentils are transversely shaped, slightly convex, slight tuberosity, even sparse, thick skeleton of branches, creating an angle of 45 degrees during growth, sometimes 60 degrees. Rather straight, light gray bark, transverse lenticels, rare, slightly dark brown, the surface has a grooved bloom.

If we talk about a one-year growth, then the shoots of Adygei prunes grow up to 53 centimeters maximum, in diameter up to 6 mm, straight growth, in some cases they are formed weakly, on the sunny side they acquire dark purple and brown tones of color, if we talk about the shaded side, then it is green. Subcutaneous punctures are very rare, small in size, and brown in color. Rounded at the base, on the surface there is a brown grooved bloom. Small leaf cushion. Each flower bud has a conical shape and grows to a size of 5x3 mm, the apex of which is slightly pointed, sticking out, and dark brown in color. The arrangement takes place on ringlets of a simple form, one piece is formed in the axil of each leaf, if we talk about the formation on the shoot and twig, then this is up to 6 pieces for each, but not less than 5-6 years of age of the tree.

Conical leaf buds, the apex is slightly pointed, colored brown, spaced from the direction of growth.The annual growth of leaf plates of average size is 9-5.4 centimeters; 8.4-5.5 centimeters, the formation is intermediate, from ovoid to obovate. At the base, the shape is from wide-arc to narrow-arc-shaped. Stupidly pointed apex. The leaf plates themselves are quite thick, leathery, slightly corrugated, colored green from below, the main vein has a brown pubescence along its entire length.

The leaves of the Adyghe prune are bent transversely to the main vein. Relatively flat leaf surface along the edge, single-double-serrate-crenate formation. At the base of the leaf blades there is a shortened petiole, only up to 16 mm in length and up to 2 mm in diameter, the color is dark crimson, the groove is very small, there is a slight pubescence along the groove, when formed it forms an angle of 30-60 degrees. They have a piece of iron in a large number and different in size, there are small and large in size, black, up to a couple on each stalk or base of the leaf plate, a complete absence is possible. Shallow stipule, broad-lanceolate formation, undifferentiated form.

Along the crown of the plum, the Adyghe prunes are very evenly distributed with beautiful flowers, in each bud from 2 to 3 small flowers can develop. Corolla flat in shape, average size up to 25 mm, each petal of the flower has an obovate shape, up to 12 mm in size, almost 6 mm wide, medium size, painted mainly white. Closeness of a weak state. Medium-sized, slightly corrugated, slightly serrated tip. Formed up to 25-28 stamens up to 10 mm long, straight direction, yellow, 2-leafed anther. In one quantity, the pistil grows up to 12 mm, weak curvature, rounded stigma, located just above the anther. Weak pubescence of the ovary. Narrow-calyx-shaped calyx, triangular sepals, up to 5 mm in length, up to 2.5 mm in width. Smooth surface, medium serration. The pedicel grows up to 12 mm, pubescence is absent. Active flowering fully coincides with the timing of the complete blooming of the leaves.

Smooth surface of rather large fruits, up to 5.6 grams, rounded shape, in some cases elongated roundness, 42.5x41.5x43.1 mm. The color of the berries is purple, slightly bluish tint, small, narrowish funnel, in a wide-rounded base. A slightly rounded apex, a very small depression, in the center of which there is a brown dot, in some cases shifts slightly in the direction of the main seam. Narrow dark stripe on the seam. The skin has a thick state, a little rough, sour taste, there is also a slight bitterness in the aftertaste. The bone itself is very difficult to separate from the pulp.

The flesh of the berry is yellow-green in color, quite juicy, fibrous with little grain, sweet taste, according to a rating scale of up to 4 points, well separable from the stone. The bone itself is large in size, weighing up to 1.8 grams, flat in shape.

Features of the Adyghe prune

Adyghe prune: video about the variety Each peduncle grows up to 18 centimeters, no more than 1.6 mm thick, slight curvature, brown color, pubescence is completely absent, the Adyghe prune is attached to the fruit of the plum quite thoroughly, which excludes mass loss of fruits in a state of complete mechanical ripeness. The appearance of the berries is quite beautiful, so to speak, the presentation is at the level. The taste is predominantly sweet and sour, and the direction of use is versatile: any kind of processing, also just fresh. Chemical composition: 17.9% - dry matter, sugars - up to 111.98%, 1.09% are various acids, ascorbic acid is 1 mg for every 100 grams of product.The variety belongs to dessert varieties, but it can be ranked as table and dried fruit varieties, the drying of fruits is at a level, when dried, the ability to produce up to 22.3% of high-quality prunes, containing various sugars up to 58, 15%.

The prunes of the Adyghe mid-late ripening variety, in terms of the full ripening of the fruits, are self-fertile. With a qualitative approach to cultivation, it is possible to collect a fairly bountiful harvest, but there is a small fad-fruiting is periodic. In terms of winter hardiness, the Adyghe prune complies with the norms, a well-developed immunity to diseases of fungal origin.

Ways to store prunes at home

It is absolutely not difficult to keep prunes in your home. To do this, you just need to follow some simple guidelines. To store this dried fruit, use linen bags and paper bags, wooden boxes with good ventilation, tightly closed containers, or glass, metal and plastic vessels with a sealed lid.

Before placing the fruits for storage, make sure that they are intact, without damage, stains and plaque on the surface.

Store at room temperature in a container with a sealed lid

Prunes can be stored in glass and ceramic jars with a tight-fitting lid for up to six months.

First of all, the container is prepared. It is thoroughly washed, poured over with boiling water and dried.
Then dried fruits are placed in it, closed tightly with a lid and placed in a cool place.
If the prune is wet, then it should be dried.
Periodically it is necessary to monitor the condition of the dried plums.

Placing dried fruits in hermetically sealed containers, cans or glass jars is recognized as the best storage method.

Storing dried plums in linen bags and paper bags

Some people store dried fruits in linen bags. But only if there are no harmful insects in the house, such as ants or cockroaches.

Dense cloth bags are soaked in strong saline solution. Then they are well dried, put prunes in them and tied.

The paper bags are filled and closed in the same way. Thanks to fabric and paper, dried plums can breathe, and they also become moldy and retain all their useful qualities.

The only drawback of this storage method is the impossibility of placing prunes near very smelling products: coffee, spices, tobacco.

Ready prunes in a vase

Storing prunes in the refrigerator

If high humidity prevails in the room, then the dried fruits are stored in the refrigerator. For this:

Thoroughly sort out the prunes, separate the damaged fruits.
Packaged in small portions in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid, containers or bags with a zip fastener.
Placed on a shelf, refrigerator door or fruit compartment
Check the moisture in the container once a week. If it appears, the fruits are dried.

Proper storage of dried plums will preserve all of its important properties.

Naturally, you can protect yourself from unnecessary hassle and buy prunes in the market or in a store. But when there is an opportunity to cook prunes at home, you should not expose yourself and your family to possible negative consequences.

Cooking prunes in the sun at home

The most natural way to dry plums at home is to place them in direct sunlight. If you have your own house that allows you to spread berries in the yard, then this is the best option for making prunes. This will require some kind of cardboard sheet where the plums will be placed. The cooking steps are simple:

The plum must be carefully prepared for drying: washed and sorted out.
Plums for drying in the sun should not be dried whole, so they should be cut and pitted.
Lay them out on a sheet of cardboard in one layer and put them in a sunny place.

It is worth remembering that the plum must be removed at night or in cool rainy weather, otherwise the berries will become damp. And then high-quality prunes, which would be stored for a long time, will no longer work. From time to time it is necessary to turn the plums over, otherwise the berries will not dry out evenly. So, in the sunlight they should be kept for about a week.

You can check if the prunes are ready with a simple old method: squeeze one of the berries.

If juice does not stand out from it, and the berry itself is elastic, then everything is done correctly and the prunes are ready. To prevent flies and other insects from interfering during drying, it is recommended to cover them with gauze.

Beneficial features

Prunes have tonic properties. This product improves memory, increases work capacity, and also:

normalizes metabolism;
improves the functioning of the digestive tract;
removes poisons and toxins from the body;
improves the functioning of the stomach, increases the secretion of gastric juice;
improves vision;
strengthens the nervous system;
relieves constipation;
useful for atherosclerosis and hypertension, has a beneficial effect on the work of the heart;
has a diuretic effect;
improves kidney function.

It is very beneficial to consume dried plums for women to prevent osteoporosis during menopause. It is enough to eat 100 g daily. Vitamin D contained in prunes, in combination with elements of boron and calcium, preserves and strengthens bone mass.

This product will enrich the woman's body with useful substances, normalize metabolism, and reduce the load on the liver.

For men's health, prunes are a magical remedy. It contains a large amount of B vitamins, ascorbic acid and antioxidants. Thanks to this composition, dried fruit has a beneficial effect on the prostate.

Why are prunes useful?

Due to the huge number of components irreplaceable for the body, prunes are useful for the work of almost all human organs:

The presence of such biologically active substances as potassium and magnesium helps to improve the functioning of the heart and has a beneficial effect on blood vessels;

Rich in magnesium and cocoa. In addition to magnesium, the substances contained in cocoa will have to be listed for a long time, because the chemical composition of cocoa is unique.

The benefits of prunes for the intestines have been proven, as a result of which it improves its work to remove toxins and harmful substances from the body; Dried plums are useful for low hemoglobin levels and a weakened body during illness or undergoing a course of antibiotics;

Buckwheat will also help to raise the level of hemoglobin. There is no better natural prevention of anemia than buckwheat seeds.

Dried fruit has a diuretic and choleretic effect, while improving metabolism and rejuvenating the cells of the body; A number of minerals in the chemical composition of the product have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system, normalizes the work of muscles and joints;

You can also restore health to your joints with the help of lard. It is useful not only for a number of joint diseases, but also for restoring their mobility after injuries.

Fiber helps to establish the functioning of the digestive organs, so prunes are especially useful for constipation and other problems with the digestive tract; Prunes with pits are an excellent raw material for making delicious drinks that will significantly improve health, strengthen immunity and replenish vitamin stores; Prunes have proven to be an effective laxative without the slightest side effects compared to pharmaceuticals; The high calorie content of dried pitted prunes makes it possible to use it as a light snack when following a diet, while without the slightest harm to health and shape;

Muesli is also a great snack.Due to the presence of carbohydrates in the composition, which are quickly and slowly broken down, it allows a person to feel full even after eating a small portion of muesli.

Dishes with the addition of prunes are very useful for children, and already from 6 months of age, normalizing their digestion and saturating the body with useful substances.

Benefits for women

Dried plums are one of the few foods that are both tasty and healthy. Since prunes are often used to cleanse the intestines, it will become the first assistant for women in the fight against extra pounds.

Special procedures such as pressotherapy, myostimulation, etc. will help to find a dream figure.

So, what else is dried fruit useful for the fair sex:

Prunes are an excellent means for losing weight, thanks to which the body is cleansed of excess fluid and toxins. Dried fruit is usually used with fermented milk products. The most common option is prunes with kefir, whipped with a blender until smooth;
Sweet dried fruits are also useful for expectant mothers, strengthening their body and preventing anemia. In addition, prunes during pregnancy will benefit not only the mother, but also the future baby, whose development requires active substances from a properly selected diet;
Dried fruit has a beneficial effect on the female body in the climacteric period, normalizing her emotional state, and acting as a natural antidepressant;
Prunes are of particular value when breastfeeding, helping a young mother to normalize the flora of the digestive tract, replenishing the lack of minerals and vitamins in breast milk;
Regularly consuming prunes at night will soon improve the condition of the skin and hair, since the body receives the necessary amount of vitamins A, B and E, useful for rejuvenating the body.

Prunes are very good for women

Benefits for men

Due to the content of organic acids and polyphenols, dried fruit is an excellent remedy for improving arterial blood vessels, which is an excellent prevention against cardiovascular diseases.

Also, dried fruits are useful for maintaining testosterone levels and slowing down the aging process of cells.

As a source of micro and macronutrients, prunes are an effective tool for strengthening men's health, while increasing sexual stamina.

Prune varieties

Useful properties of prunes

Regular use of healthy dried fruit improves digestion, solving the problem of constipation, has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, normalizes metabolism, helps the body recover from illness, increases efficiency, improves heart function, and maintains the normal state of the nervous system. Despite the fact that prunes are considered a high-calorie product, nutritionists advise not to exclude them from the diet. It quickly relieves hunger, so snacking on prunes is not harmful. In winter, when the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits decreases, prunes are a good find, since they allow the body to receive the necessary substances. It contains fructose, glucose, sucrose (up to 17%), many organic acids, pectin, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamins C, A, P, group B, etc. Recent studies have shown that prunes, thanks to vitamin A and beta-carotene, it helps to maintain visual acuity.

Ways to get prunes

Large volumes of plums (for sale) in fruit processing plants are processed in boiling water, then cooled in running water and dried in steam in special drying devices at the required temperature.

In another method, pre-washed fruits are dried in the fresh air under the sun's rays.The artisanal method does not make it possible to obtain a beautiful prune, as in industrial production, but its useful qualities are not reduced by this. It is believed that even more nutrients are stored in it than in prunes obtained under factory conditions.

Dried fruit can be with or without a stone. The latter is considered less useful and costs less. In a cold, dry place, the product is excellently stored for up to one and a half years.

Plum varieties suitable for producing prunes

The statement that any kind of plum can be used for prunes is erroneous. The "correct" product is obtained from Hungarian plums containing more than 17% dry matter. If we take fruits whose quality characteristics are not suitable for obtaining prunes, the final product will be called simply dried plums, which are not black in color, but most often brown-brown. Prunes are obtained from special varieties that are distinguished by large, fleshy and dark fruits, with a sugar content of at least 12% and with a small amount of moisture. The most ideal variety is considered Italian Hungarian.

Hungarian italian

The homeland of this plum is sunny Italy. The variety has an average height, pleases with the first harvest in 5 years. The "Italian" has large fruits resembling an egg, with a rich dark blue color and dense yellowish-green flesh, under the skin there are large dots. The taste of the fruit is sweet, the smell is weak. Prunes from Italian Hungarian are very beautiful.
In Russia, plum is mainly grown on the Black Sea coast (Gelendzhik, Adler). In more northern regions, its cultivation is not so successful, since the plant is thermophilic and can freeze slightly in winter. However, the Italian Hungarian can be found in the gardens of the Voronezh, Kursk and nearby regions. But plum is not grown on an industrial scale in these regions.

Common Hungarian (Home)

The peculiarity of the variety is the difference in taste, size, ripening times. It depends on the breeding methods. Like many varieties, the Domashny plum begins to bear fruit at the age of 5. The fruit ripens rather late - at the end of summer or in the first decade of September. Hungarian vulgaris lives long and gives good, stable yields. After 25 years, more than 150 kg of plums can be removed from it. High frost resistance makes it possible to grow a fruit tree in regions with low winter temperatures.

Hungarian Azhanskaya

The variety has Western European roots. It grows best in mild climates, as it does not have good frost resistance. The fruiting period begins in the 4th or 5th year of development. By the end of summer, the crop ripens almost at the same time and does not crumble from the branches. Hungarian Azhanskaya does not like prolonged damp weather, her fruits begin to crack, which affects their quality. It is a high-yielding variety that consistently yields 55-60 kg of plums after 12 years of growth. Fruits are violet-red with a dense skin and green-yellow flesh.

Hungarian Moscow

This type of Hungarian plum is found in the Moscow, Ryazan, Tula regions. The tree bears fruit for 5 or 7 years after planting. The fruits are oval in shape and red (with a purple tint) in color. The pulp is dense and juicy, and the skin has a bitter aftertaste, which does not spoil the overall taste sensation at all. The harvest ripens in early September at almost the same time. Plums of this variety can be removed not quite ripe, and in the process of ripening, their taste becomes sweeter.

Hungarian Pulkovskaya (Zimnitsa, Pokrovka)

Plum bred by "folk" selection, multiplies mainly with young root shoots. The plant has a spreading crown, fruiting occurs after the 6th year of growth. With good care, Zimnitsa gives high yields at the end of September. The fruits of the plum are oval, with a red color and dark spots under the skin.The flesh of the "folk" fruit is sweet and sour, very pleasant to the taste, with a stone easily separating from it. The main cultivation areas are Novgorod, Leningrad and Pskov regions.

Hungarian Wanheim

It is believed that the variety originated in the western part of Europe. He loves fertile lands, the undoubted advantages are winter hardiness and drought resistance. Plants develop rapidly, after 15 years they give very high yields (100-120 kg of plums from one tree). Fruit ripening occurs at the same time, starting in the second half of August. The fruits grow medium in size, have the shape of an irregular oval, their color is dark blue. The plum peel is thin, easily separated from the deep green pulp. Most often, the Hungarian Wanheim can be seen in the gardens of the Rostov Region and Krasnodar Territory.

Countries-suppliers of prunes

Plum trees, including those that produce high-quality prunes, grow on almost all continents. Dried fruit comes to the international market mainly from Argentina, Chile, the USA and France. Prunes from Moldova are appreciated on Russian territory. The countries that were previously part of the USSR are also suppliers of the product to our country: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan. The highest quality prunes are produced in the USA (California).

The benefits of prunes

Aronia plum has the highest antioxidant and tonic properties. The systematic intake of dried fruit increases efficiency and normalizes the psychoemotional environment. This is made possible by the presence of the most valuable B vitamins. They calm the body and help to improve sleep.
Prunes must be introduced into the diet of those who seek to lose weight. Despite the carbohydrate content, protein and fat metabolism is normalized. The saccharides are converted into energy rather than being stored as fat around the waist. Prunes increase metabolism and cleanse the intestines.
Traditional medicine has long recognized the fruit of the black chokeberry as a powerful tool for cleansing the liver and restoring its structure. With the help of decoctions based on dried fruits, the outflow of bile is stimulated, the load on the filtering organ is reduced.
Prunes contribute to an early improvement in overall health. Dried fruits must be taken with you on the road or to work in order to satisfy the sharply raging hunger. In this case, there will be no harm to the figure or stomach. Fruits fill the body better than cookies or fruits.
Indispensable for prunes for categories of people who spend a lot of time at the PC or driving. Beta and alpha carotene improve perception and concentration and are required for eye health. Prunes must be eaten by people with low vision.
Another benefit of plum fruits is to improve intestinal motility and normalize its microflora. The composition contains dietary fiber that cleanses the esophagus and prevents food fermentation in it. The frequency of constipation and bloating is reduced.
Even with obesity, doctors are allowed to include fruits in the menu in order to compensate for the deficiency of nutrients. Do not pay much attention to the accumulation of saccharides, they are in the correct form. But people with diabetes should be more careful, a doctor's consultation is required.
Decoctions based on prunes are necessary to cleanse the body of strong slagging and toxic substances. Such drinks have a positive effect on blood composition, improve blood flow and open channels, as well as cleanse them of cholesterol.
If you have disturbances in the work of the heart muscle, the product must be included in the diet. Moreover, it is not necessary to use it on its own. Add prunes to salads, main courses, teas.
Of course, it was not without the most valuable qualities of dried fruit for hypertensive patients. Due to its mild diuretic effect, plum fruits lower blood pressure.Intracranial pressure is also normalized, which leads to the elimination of frequent headaches and pulsation in the temples.
Prunes are good for the mouth. Due to its bactericidal properties, the product kills pathogenic microorganisms, prevents caries and stomatitis, and strengthens tooth enamel. The fruits of the black plum are necessary to prevent the multiplication of staphylococcus, salmonella and Escherichia coli.
Due to its special color, dried fruit is called the "black doctor". It is indicated for liver diseases, osteoporosis, impaired vision, gastrointestinal problems, rheumatism, varicose veins and atherosclerosis. In all these cases, prunes have a powerful therapeutic effect.
Healers of traditional medicine are advised to prepare an infusion for the treatment of bronchitis from the grated fruits of prunes and vodka. After insisting, such a remedy is taken in a teaspoon three times a day. This helps clear mucus from the airways.

Prunes and plums what is the difference

Many people believe that there is no difference between plums and prunes, except that plums are fresh fruit and prunes are dried fruit. This is not true.

What is the difference between plums and prunes? Plum is useful for people with heart disease, vascular disorders, the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Prunes have a positive effect on these systems, but due to the cooking process, when it loses moisture, which means weight, all the positive qualities of the plum are concentrated in a smaller volume. This is the peculiarity. The same mass of these two products has a different amount of nutrients. As a result, you will need less prunes than fresh plums to achieve the same effect. There is also a difference in taste between prunes and plums. Plum is very juicy, sweet and sour, and prunes are more intense in taste, sweet, less sour.

The use of plums in cooking

Plum fruits are dried, pickled, felled, moistened and frozen. You can make juice, jam, preserves, jelly, liqueur, tincture and compote from them.

When making plum jam, be sure to remove the pit. Thanks to this, the jam can be stored for a long time. But, if you are going to eat the jam during the year, you can leave the pit on.

Now you know about the benefits of prunes and how to grow this tree on your own plot. Do not forget about contraindications, it is better to consult a doctor before using the fruit.

Landing features

Prunes can be grown according to the same rules as a regular plum. Let's consider in detail the nuances of agricultural technology.

Recommended timing

Plum seedlings are best planted in early spring. In the southern regions, planting time falls in March. Gardeners of the middle lane and the Moscow region plant plums no later than the second decade of April. It is advisable to prepare the hole in the fall or not earlier than two weeks before planting.

Important! Lovers of autumn planting of fruit trees need to know that Prunes can be planted at this time of the year, but only in the southern regions.

Choosing the right place

Plum Prunes like to grow in hot areas. The tree can be planted in any place where there are no drafts and waterlogged soil. The culture takes root well along buildings or a fence.

Despite its drought tolerance, plum loves moderately moist soil. If there is such a plot in the yard, then you can safely plant a tree here.

Attention! With a lack of moisture, the yield will not decrease. Only the quality of the fruit will suffer

The pulp of the plum will not be juicy and sour.

Like any plum, Prunes love loose, light soil. When planting in clay or black soil, sand is added for looseness. High acidity of the soil also has a bad effect on the tree. The indicator is reduced by introducing lime into the soil. If layers of groundwater are located high on the site, the drain will not grow. Alternatively, you can try to plant a seedling on a hill.

What crops can and cannot be planted nearby

Plum loves loneliness, but does not refuse to be close to other fruit trees. You cannot plant any kind of currant, walnut, coniferous trees, birch nearby. A pear is considered a bad neighbor. Plum is friendly with all other fruit trees, but the distance necessary for the development of roots and crown must be observed.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Prune seedlings can be taken from friends by digging up young shoots. However, planting material from the nursery is considered the best. The seedling can be sold with open and closed root systems. The latter option is better in terms of survival rate. The main requirement for good seedlings is the presence of a developed large root, lateral branches, and living buds. The bark should be smooth without cracks or damage.

Advice! It is better to buy plum saplings up to 1.5 m high. Tall trees take root poorly, do not bear fruit for a long time.

Landing algorithm

For spring planting of plums, the hole is usually prepared in the fall. After plowing the land, weed roots are removed from the site. A hole is dug up to 70 cm wide and deep. If the soil is heavy, the depth of the hole is increased by 15 cm. The added space is covered with a drainage layer of stone or gravel.

Fertile soil is mixed with manure or compost in a 1: 2 ratio. The finished mixture is poured into the hole, covered with insulation for the winter. In the spring, before planting Prunes, part of the soil is removed from the pit to accommodate the root of the seedling.

Important! When planting several plums, a distance of at least 3 m is maintained between trees.

For a seedling with an open root system, a support stake is driven in the center of the hole. If the plum is bought with closed roots, growing in a container, it is carefully removed and, together with a lump of earth, is lowered into the hole. A support stake is not needed for such a seedling. Backfilling is carried out with fertile soil previously removed from the pit. The seedling is watered, the trunk circle is mulched with peat.

The history of breeding varieties

There is no exact information about the origin of the Prune variety. Most often, this name means thorny. It was she who was obtained by crossing cherry plum with wild thorns. Sometimes there is information that Prunes were brought out in 37 of the last century at the Maykop station. The result is a hybrid, but his parents are unknown. The variety was named Adyghe Prune and was included in the State Register in 88 of the last century. It is this culture that will be discussed further.

In everyday life, prunes are usually called dried plums that have been smoked. To obtain a popular product, the Stenley plum variety is most often used. The culture was brought out by an American breeder in the 26th year of the last century. Stanley has been listed in the State Register since 1983.

Hungarian prunes are also made from plums, since its fruits lend themselves well to drying and are highly saturated with sugar. There are several varieties of Hungarian. The most common varieties are:

The Italian Hungarian is common in the southern regions. The heat-loving mid-season variety is capable of freezing out in cold regions. The plum is self-fertile and does not require pollinators. The tree grows up to 5 m high. The crown diameter is about 6 m. The plum does not tolerate drought, bears fruit for 4 years after planting. The yield reaches 50 kg per tree. Fruit weight is about 35 g.
Home Hungarian bears fruit weighing 20 g. Plum variety Late, thermophilic prune, begins to bear fruit from the age of 7. The tree grows up to 6.5 m high. Productivity is about 150 kg.
Hungarian Wangenheim is considered a frost-resistant crop. Plum variety Early prunes, disease resistant, takes root on poor soils. The yield of an adult tree reaches 60 kg, but the inflorescences require cross-pollination. Fruiting begins at the age of 6. Fruit weight reaches 30 g.
Hungarian Korneevskaya is distinguished by frost resistance and drought resistance. The variety is self-fertile. No pollinators are needed. In terms of ripening, the plum is mid-ripening. Fruiting begins after 6 years. At this time, the yield reaches 30 kg.Fruit weight is about 35 g.

The plum variety Renklod Karbysheva is well suited for the production of prunes. The tree is self-fertile, tolerates frost well. Fruit weight is about 40 g. The stone is easily separated from the pulp.

The mid-season Blue Bird variety is also used in the production of prunes. Fruiting of a seedling occurs in the third year from the moment of planting. The variety is self-fertile, resistant to frosty winters. Fruit weight is about 45 g. The stone is easily separated from the pulp.

You can dry prunes from the Raisin-Eric plum variety. The culture is thermophilic, southern. The homeland of the mid-late variety is Crimea. Pollinators are required for fruiting. The yield of an adult tree reaches 115 kg. Fruit weight is about 10 g.

The plum Uralsky prune, which is also called the Prunes of the Urals, was derived from the plum variety P-31. Another parent of the hybrid is the Ussuri plum. As a result, when all varieties were crossed, a late prune was obtained from the Ussuri plum, which is distinguished by good frost resistance. The fruits grow medium in size, weighing no more than 16 g. The tree grows up to 2 m high. The variety is not self-fertile. The best pollinators are Ussuriysk plums and Uralskaya red.

The video compares prunes with common varieties of plums: