A prune is any of various plum cultivars, mostly Prunus domestica or European Plum, sold as fresh or dried fruit. The dried fruit is also referred to as a dried plum. In general, fresh prunes are freestone cultivars (the pit is easy to remove), whereas most other plums grown for fresh consumption are clingstone (the pit is more difficult to remove).
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More than 1,000 cultivars of plums are grown for drying. The main cultivar grown in the U.S. is the Improved French prune. Other varieties include Sutter, Tulare Giant, Moyer, Imperial, Italian, and Greengage. Fresh prunes reach the market earlier than fresh plums and are usually smaller in size.
Due to popular perception (in the U.S.) of prunes being used only for relief of constipation, and being the subject of related distasteful joking, many of today's distributors have stopped using the word "prune" on packaging labels. Their preference is to state "dried plums".[1]
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 1,006 kJ (240 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 63.88 g |
| - Sugars | 38.13 g |
| - Dietary fibre | 7.1 g |
| Fat | 0.38 g |
| Protein | 2.18 g |
| Vitamin A | 781 IU |
| Vitamin C | 0.6 mg (1%) |
| Phosphorus | 69 mg (10%) |
| Potassium | 732 mg (16%) |
| 1 prune, pitted 9.5 g 1 cup, pitted 174 g Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
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Prunes are used in cooking both sweet and savory dishes. Stewed prunes, a compote, are a dessert. Prunes are a frequent ingredient in North African tagines. Perhaps the best-known gastronomic prunes are those of Agen (pruneaux d'Agen). Prunes are used frequently in Tzimmes, a traditional Jewish dish in which the principal ingredient is diced or sliced carrots; in the Nordic prune kisel, eaten with rice pudding in the Christmas dinner; and in the traditional Norwegian dessert fruit soup. Prunes have also been included in other holiday dishes, such as stuffing, cake, and to make sugar plums.
Prune juice is made by softening prunes through steaming and then putting them through a pulper to create a watery puree. Prunes and their juice contain mild laxatives including phenolic compounds (mainly as neochlorogenic acids and chlorogenic acids) and sorbitol.[2] Faster results are obtained by heating the prune juice. Prunes also contain dietary fiber (about 6%, or 0.06 g per gram of prune). Prunes and prune juice are thus common home remedies for constipation. Prunes also have a high antioxidant content.[3]