Pluots are a mix of plums and apricots, offering a tasty and healthy option for fruit lovers. With smooth skin, juicy flesh, and a sweet flavor, they are full of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Pluots are great for eating fresh and can be used in many recipes, making them a versatile choice for meals or snacks. In this article, we'll look at the benefits of eating pluots, how to pick the best ones, and easy tips for getting them ready to enjoy at their best.
Pluots are a sweet and juicy fruit created by crossing plums and apricots.
What Is Pluot?
As its name suggests, Pluot is a hybrid of plum and apricot, a fruit that has existed for years. It is a member of the stone fruit family and can be used in any recipe that calls for plums or apricots. You can enjoy it in a smoothie, make it into a pie, or even add it to your ice cream. Its sweetness will make it shine in these dishes. It is also a great choice for making jams and other preserved condiments.
Floyd Zaiger began developing this fruit in the 1950s at his farm outside Modesto, California. He drew inspiration from the many plum and apricot breeds that existed then. He wanted to create a fruit that was a blend of both. The result is a fruit that looks like a plum but has the texture and flavor of an apricot.
There are more than 80 varieties of pluots available in the market. These come in colors ranging from black to green to red. The ones with black skin are magenta and pale yellow and taste most like plums. Others are speckled with different colors, juicier, and have a tropical fruit flavor.
Nutrition Facts of Pluot
As Pluot is a new fruit, it has not been well-studied for its nutrition facts. However, experts believe it can offer a blend of benefits from both plums and apricots. These include immune-strengthening vitamin C, eye-protecting vitamin A, and heart-healthy potassium.
Nutrition facts of 100 grams (3.5 ounces): Calories: 54
- Carbs: 12g - 4% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Fiber: 1g - 4% of the DV
- Protein: 1g
- Potassium: 193mg - 4% of the DV
- Vitamins A: 108μg - 12% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 16mg - 18% of the DV
- Glucose: 7g
Vitamins and Minerals
Pluots also provide a significant amount of the recommended daily value of vitamin A per serving, converted to beta-carotene in the body and helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration, heart disease, and certain cancers. The low-calorie, sugar-free fruit has a pleasant flavor and can be eaten fresh out of hand, chopped into salsa and salads, tossed with other fruits and vegetables in green or fruit bowls, or cooked into jams, compotes, or chutney. It can also flavor baked goods, including cakes, tarts, and pies, or be dropped into sparkling beverages as a festive, fruity treat.
A serving of pluots provides significant potassium, a mineral that helps reduce high blood pressure. The potassium in pluots works with other electrolytes to maintain balanced fluid levels and protect against heart disease, stroke, and kidney stones. This fruit is also a good source of neochlorogenic acid and chlorogenic acid, phytonutrients that act as natural antioxidants in the body, scavaging free radicals to prevent oxidative stress and chronic diseases. If you have a food allergy or are concerned about any symptoms after eating pluots, it is important to consult with a registered healthcare professional.
Health Benefits of Pluot
Pluots, three-quarters plum and one-quarter apricot, share the sweet flavor of their parent fruits and offer a nutritious profile supporting digestive health, cardiovascular wellness, and weight management. They contain a generous amount of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Plumots are a good source of vitamin A, which is necessary for eye health and skin care. They also provide plenty of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps ward off cellular damage and promotes immune system function.
The combination of pluot nutrients makes them a healthy addition to vegetarian and meat-based diets. They have very little fat and are low in calories, making them a great option for individuals following a weight loss plan or adding more fruits and vegetables to their diets.
Side Effects of Pluot
Pluots, a mix between plums and apricots, are tasty and packed with nutrients. However, like all fruits, they can cause problems for certain people, especially if eaten in large amounts.
Allergic Reactions
Some people might be allergic to pluots, especially if they have allergies to other stone fruits like plums or apricots. Signs of an allergic reaction can include itching, swelling, or even trouble breathing. If you're allergic to these types of fruits, it's best to avoid pluots.
Digestive Problems
Pluots have a lot of fiber, which can be good for digestion. But eating too many might upset your stomach, causing gas, bloating, or diarrhea. People with sensitive stomachs or those not used to high-fiber foods should eat pluots in small amounts.
Blood Sugar Concerns
Since pluots are naturally sweet, eating a lot of them could raise blood sugar levels, especially for people with diabetes. It's a good idea to watch how much you eat to avoid spikes in blood sugar.
While pluots are healthy, some people may experience allergic reactions, stomach issues, or changes in blood sugar. Eating them in moderation can help you enjoy their benefits without any problems.
Tips for Choosing Pluot
Pluots are a tasty and juicy fruit that can be a great addition to your meals. It's important to pick the right ones to enjoy them at their best. Here are a few easy tips to help you choose the best pluot.
Check for Firmness
Gently press the pluot to check how firm it is. A ripe one will be firm, but have a little give when you press it. It might not be ripe yet if it's too hard, and if it's too soft, it could be overripe.
Look for Smooth Skin
A good pluot will have smooth skin without any cuts or bruises. The skin should look fresh and clean. Some types of pluots may have a light powdery coating, which is normal. Just avoid fruits with damaged or wrinkled skin.
Smell for Sweetness
A ripe pluot will smell sweet and fruity. If it has a pleasant smell, it's likely ready to eat. If you smell nothing, the fruit may still need time to ripen.
By looking for firm, smooth-skinned pluots with a sweet smell, you can choose the best ones to enjoy their full flavor.
Tips for Preparing Pluot
Pluots are a tasty fruit used in many dishes or eaten independently. To enjoy their best flavor and texture, it's important to prepare them correctly. Here are some easy tips to get pluots ready to eat.
Wash the Fruit
Before you start, wash the pluots under cool running water to remove any dirt or residue on the skin. Even if you plan to peel them, washing them first is a good idea to keep the inside clean.
Decide to Peel or Not
The skin of a pluot is smooth and can be eaten, but if you prefer, you can peel it. Use a small knife to carefully remove the skin, blanch the pluots in boiling water for a few seconds, then put them in ice water to make peeling easier.
Cut and Remove the Pit
To cut pluots, slice around the pit lengthwise. Twist the two halves gently to pull them apart. Once the pit is removed, you can slice or dice the fruit however you need for your dish.
Pluots are easy to prepare with a quick wash and simple cutting steps. Whether you eat them fresh or use them in a recipe, they add a sweet touch to your meals.
Tips on Including Pluot in Meal
Plums and apricots have naturally cross-pollinated in nature for centuries, and Luther Burbank, the father of modern horticulture, bred a hybrid called plumcots (half plum, half apricot). He crossed this with more apricot traits to produce the fruit that's now known as a pluot. Unlike plums, which are typically tart, these pluots taste sweeter and have less bitter skin. The fruits are also a little bigger than apricots and have thicker flesh.
Pluots are a fun choice whether you're looking for a new breakfast topping or a tasty addition to your cheese board. You can eat them raw or cook them to make jams and sauces. The versatile stone fruit ripens by the end of summer and can be found at some grocery stores and farmers' markets as late as October.
Consider adding them to a salad or sprinkling over grilled chicken or fish. You can also make a pluot pie or crumble. Or serve them with a drizzle of honey and a dollop of whipped cream.
When buying pluots, look for a bright color with smooth skin and a fragrant scent. They should feel plump and give slightly to the touch. If they aren't fully ripe, leave them on the counter in a paper bag to ripen. To store, keep them in the refrigerator. To pick your own, use a step stool or a pole picker to reach higher branches.
