National Prune Day is celebrated on June 15th each year. It's a day to appreciate the under-appreciated dried plum and all it has to offer! Prunes boast a surprising number of health benefits and can be incorporated into many dishes.
Here are some fun prune facts:
· Climate: Prune trees need a cold winter with chilling hours and a warm, dry season for optimal growth. They do best in well-drained, loamy soil.
· Planting: Prune trees are typically planted in late winter or early spring.
· Blooming: Prune trees bloom in early to mid-March, depending on location.
· Fruiting: The fruits ripen in mid-August and are allowed to fully ripen on the tree (unlike many other fruits) before harvest.
· Harvest: Prunes are harvested when they reach a certain firmness and sugar content. This is usually determined mechanically by shaking the trees.
· Drying: Once harvested, the prunes are typically dehydrated to become prunes. Commercially, this is done in large dehydrators. At home, it can be done in a small dehydrator or even in the sun.
With Hoover Ingredients located in the Central Valley of California, we have great prune grower/processor relationships. We welcome the opportunity to talk Prunes!
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