The commercially important plum trees are medium-sized, usually pruned to 5–6 metres (16–20 ft) height. In the late 18th century, the word plum was used to indicate "something desirable", probably in reference to tasty fruit pieces in desserts. The name plum derived from Old English plume "plum, plum tree", borrowed from Germanic or Middle Dutch, derived from Latin prūnum and ultimately from Ancient Greek προῦμνον proumnon, itself believed to be a loanword from an unknown language of Asia Minor. Īn article on plum tree cultivation in Andalusia (southern Spain) appears in Ibn al-'Awwam's 12th-century agricultural work, Book on Agriculture. According to Ken Albala, plums originated in Iran. Plum remains have been found in Neolithic age archaeological sites along with olives, grapes and figs. Three of the most abundantly cultivated species are not found in the wild, only around human settlements: Prunus domestica has been traced to East European and Caucasian mountains, while Prunus salicina and Prunus simonii originated in China.
Plums may have been one of the first fruits domesticated by humans. They are a moderate source of vitamin C but do not contain significant amounts of other micronutrients. In terms of nutrition, raw plums are 87% water, 11% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and less than 1% fat. Plum kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides, but the oil made from them is not commercially available. Plums can be eaten fresh, used in jams, or fermented into wine or brandy. Japanese or Chinese plums dominate the fresh fruit market, while European plums are also common in some regions. The fruit is a drupe, with a firm and juicy flesh.Ĭhina is the largest producer of plums, followed by Romania and Serbia.
Plums are a diverse group of species, with trees reaching a height of 5-6 meters when pruned. They were brought to Britain from Asia, and their cultivation has been documented in Andalusia, southern Spain. Plums may have been one of the first fruits domesticated by humans, with origins in East European and Caucasian mountains and China.
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