How and where is it better to store plums, rules and methods at home for the winter
People are often interested in how to properly store plums so that they contain the maximum amount of vitamins. To solve this problem, it is recommended to choose the right variety. Compliance with harvesting recommendations and the choice of storage method are not negligible. Plums can be kept cool or make various preparations from them - jams, candied fruits, compotes. It is also perfectly acceptable to freeze fruit.
Optimal varieties for long-term storage
In order to keep fresh plums as long as possible, it is recommended to pay special attention to the choice of variety.
Eldorado
It is a late American variety. It is characterized by amber fruits covered with a dark blue skin. The variety is considered precocious and gives a bountiful harvest. Fruits are excellent transportability. They can easily lie until December.
imperial thorns
It is a French grape variety that belongs to the category of late ripening. The fruit is characterized by a fragrant pulp. It has a green-yellow tint. The variety is characterized by a stable yield. Its fruits can last 3 months.
Chachak
This late variety was bred by Yugoslav breeders. Plums have a creamy yellow hue and juicy flesh. This high yielding variety has excellent transportability. The fruits can lie down until December.
Stanley
This late-ripening variety was bred by American scientists. The fruit is characterized by a tasty, sweet and sour pulp. The variety is considered self-fertile and has a high yield. It supports transport very well. The fruits can rest until December.
Hagant
It is a new variety with excellent frost resistance. The fruit has yellow flesh. It's quite firm and juicy at the same time. For a variety of character, a high and stable yield. Fruits can lay up to 3 months.
The Empress
This new variety has a late ripening period. It is characterized by a sweet and sour flesh. It is one of the most productive varieties. Its fruits keep for 3 months.
Grand Duke
It is a late variety characterized by firm orange flesh. The fruits have a sweet and sour taste. It is disease resistant and can be stored for up to 4 months.
Anna Shpet
It is a late variety which has a yellow and sweet flesh. It is characterized by high and stable efficiency. The fruits can lie down until January.
Storage methods and periods
There are several options for storing fruit, each of which has certain characteristics.
Costs
Fresh fruit requires a number of rules to be followed:
- If you store the fruits in bags, this will cause the appearance of fungus and the development of rotting processes. Therefore, immediately after purchase, the fruit should be placed in a well-ventilated container.
- Large fruits can be stored in the refrigerator in cardboard egg cartons. Previously, it should be treated with an antiseptic. Under these conditions, plums can stay fresh for 3 weeks.
- It is worth storing plums in the refrigerator at a temperature of at least +5 degrees. Under the influence of lower temperatures, there is a risk of loss of taste and smell of plums. There is also a risk of darkening of the pulp.
- For the winter, plums should be removed from the glazed loggia. In this case, it is recommended to keep them in wooden boxes. In this case, the fruits should be stacked in no more than 2 layers.
- If there is a cellar with an air humidity of 80-90% and a temperature of + 3-5 degrees, then you can also store fruits there. Excessive humidity will cause the fruit to rot, and too dry air will cause it to wilt.
If you follow the recommendations, storing fresh plums in the cellar is allowed for 4 weeks, but there are varieties that can stay fresh for up to 14 days.
Dried
To dry plums, it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- choose ripe fruit;
- wash the plums and immerse in a hot 1% soda solution for 1 minute;
- rinse the fruits again and dry them;
- put in the oven for 2-3 hours - it is worth drying the fruit at a temperature of 45 degrees;
- cool the fruits for 4-5 hours and return to the oven, heating to 80 degrees - it will take 10-12 hours for the fruits to reach the desired state.
Dried fruits can be stored in wooden boxes with holes in them. It is also allowed to use other containers - glass, plastic or metal.
Marine
To pickle plums, take the following:
- 500 milliliters of water;
- 300 grams of sugar;
- half a teaspoon of cinnamon;
- pepper;
- 1 small spoonful of salt;
- 100 grams of 9% vinegar.
To prepare the room, you need to do the following:
- wash and peel the fruits and place them in sterilized jars;
- make a marinade with water, salt, pepper, sugar, cinnamon;
- when the mixture boils, add vinegar to it;
- pour the composition of plums and sterilize them in a saucepan with water.
In his juice
This is a popular flan that can be made for the winter. To do this, it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- sort and peel ripe fruit;
- put in a saucepan and add a little water;
- heat over low heat until the juice is released;
- put in sterilized jars;
- warm to a temperature of 85 degrees and roll up the lids.
Candied fruit
To make candied fruits, it is recommended to use not very juicy fruits. To do this, sprinkle the fruit slices well with sugar, put in 1 layer on a baking sheet and bring to the baking dish. During cooking, the fruits must be turned over. Put the cooled candied fruits in airtight containers.
Evacuation
In this case, the fruit is not negatively affected by external factors. This helps to increase their shelf life. A special device is needed for vacuuming. It holds the edges of the package together and removes air from the package.
In sugar
To begin with, plums need to be sprinkled with sugar and put in an enamel container. Then put the fruits in jars, sprinkle again with sugar and put them in the fridge in an airtight container. It is allowed to store plums in this way for up to 1 year.
How to properly freeze at home
Before freezing, the fruits must be well sorted, washed and pitted.Dried plums should be placed in containers with a lid or wrapped in plastic. Then put it in the freezer.
Additional tips and tricks
When storing plums, you should follow these rules:
- incompletely ripe fruits are best stored at room temperature in paper bags;
- it is recommended to place ripe fruits in the refrigerator;
- do not expose the plums to the sun;
- do not keep fruit in bags.
To keep plums as long as possible, they are advised to provide the right conditions. In this case, it is imperative to control the humidity and temperature parameters.