How to Ripen a Plum

Last Updated: April 15, 2021 Approved

Plums are one of summer's true delights, but biting into a hard one can leave you with a puckered mouth. When plums ripen, they become sweeter and softer, making them much more pleasurable to eat. See Step 1 to learn how to store a plum so that it reaches its juiciest, sweetest ripe peak in just a day or two.

Steps

1
Place the plums in a clean paper bag. Any paper bag will do, but it should be empty of all contents except plums. When plums (and other fruit) ripen, they emit ethylene. Placing them in a paper bag with the top folded over keeps the gas close to the plums, speeding up the ripening process.^{[1]
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- An even quicker method is to put a ripe banana in the bag with the plums. The extra ethylene produced by the banana will cause the plums to ripen fast.^{[2]
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- Don't place the plums in a plastic bag. Using a nonporous bag will prevent fresh air from entering, and the plums will end up having a funny taste.
- If you prefer, you can ripen the plums by placing them in a fruit bowl, rather in a bag. The plums will still ripen, they just won't be ready quite as quickly.
2
Store the bag at room temperature. The plums will ripen best when kept at a temperature between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.^{[3]
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Research source} Keep them at this temperature until they become fully ripe.
- Don't store the bag in a sunny window, as it's likely to cause the plums to overheat. If the plums get too hot they will begin to rot.
- Likewise, storing the plums in the refrigerator or at a cold temperature before they are ripe will bring about what is called chill damage. A chill-damaged plum will never become juicy and sweet; instead, you'll end up with a mealy, tasteless plum.
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3
Test the plums for ripeness. The easiest way to tell when your plums are ripe is to lightly press the skin with your finger. If you make a slight indentation, the plum is probably ripe. If it's still hard to the touch, you'll need to wait a bit longer. If your finger punctures the plum's skin at the merest touch, the process has gone a bit too far. Here are a few other ways to test for ripeness:
- Observe the texture of the skin. Plums begin taking on a dusty appearance as they ripen.
- Touch a plum near the tip. When it's ready, that area will be a bit softer than the rest of the plum.^{[4]
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4
Enjoy the ripe plums. You can eat or cook the plums as soon as they're ripe. To halt the ripening process and preserve them for a bit longer, store them in your refrigerator's crisper.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

Question

Is the "tip" that mentioned above the part near where the stem comes out, or the opposite side of the plum?

Community Answer

That tip refers to the side of the plum that is across from the stem.
Question

Does it have to be a brown paper bag, or will a white one work?

Community Answer

Color is immaterial, the bag's purpose is to trap the ripening agents and to absorb excess moisture.
Question

Why do my plums get soft when I carry them in my lunch box

Community Answer

They might be getting bruised, or they might be ripening too quickly, it depends on what you normally carry your lunch in. I'd recommend you get a small plastic container just for your plum.
Question

How long does it take for a plum to ripen?

Community Answer

It takes about two weeks for a plum to ripen, but you should really look at the color of the plum to be sure. For example, some plums change from green to a dark blue or purple when they are ripe.
Question

My Victoria plums are small and rock hard, and the tree is 4 years old - what is the cause of this?

Community Answer

Just pluck after they are of desired size, put them in a bowl of rice and leave it for a day and they will ripe up.
Question

How can I tell when a plum is ripe?

Community Answer

Check the color. Most plums you would find at your local supermarket are of purple variety and should appear as a deep, even color. You can also smell the plum. A plum that is ripe should have a sweet, fruity smell. Finally, feel the plum. When it is ripe, it should give slightly to a squeeze, and be semi-soft.
Question

What is the best way to manage a plum tree that seems to be suffering under the weight of unripe plums?

Community Answer

You can prop up heavy limbs to prevent them from breaking while the plums ripen. You can also trim a foot or two off the ends of the heaviest branches to give the tree some relief. Save the plums from the trimmed sections and let them ripen at room temperature.
Question

If my plums are being eaten by wasps, should I just pick the plums and ripen them in a paper bag?

kathie jones

Community Answer

I sure would,before I'd let those useless singing things have them!! I grab the ones on ground for my compost, they get pretty messy & give those useless stingers a treat. Stung twice this year! Look them up, are they good for anything?? They are awful. Sorry God,don't get it!! Sincerely, Stung twice.
Question

My plums are not ripe and are still green, but they have fallen off the tree due to strong wind. Do you have any suggestions about what to do with them?

Community Answer

Leave them there. Eventually they will rot and give back the nutrients to the tree.
Question

How do I ripen a branch with many plums on it?

Community Answer

If you have a wildly-loaded branch, your best bet is to take quite a lot of the plums off - half, or even more - otherwise, you risk the branch breaking. It feels horrible losing all these unripe plums, but they can go on the compost heap, or you may be able to find a recipe for unripe plum chutney.

Warnings

Don't place unripened plums in the refrigerator! This is how they turn floury and mushy, all without ripening properly. The plums should only be placed in the refrigerator after they have ripened.

Thanks!
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