The Joy of Plum Picking: Among the Orchards

There’s something magical about standing beneath a plum tree, its branches heavy with purple and yellow fruits hanging in the soft late-summer light. Your hand reaches up to a plum that almost falls into your palm by itself, warm from the sun and full of sweet promise.

Plum picking is more than just gathering fruit — it’s a tradition. Families holding the ladder together, grandparents sharing stories of their own youth in the orchard, children eating the sweetest specimens right away with juice dripping down their chins. It’s a moment of peace, of connection with the seasons and with each other.

Have you never stood among the plum trees before? This is your chance to discover this wonderful experience.

🍇 How to Choose the Perfect Plums?

When picking, look for plums that:

  • Yield gently to light pressure — they should be ripe on the tree.
  • Have a beautiful shine — dull plums are often overripe.
  • Give off their characteristic aroma — ripe plums smell sweet and fruity.
  • Have no green spots around the stem.

Pick carefully: lift the plum and gently twist it from the branch. A ripe plum releases easily. Place them gently in your basket — they’re more delicate than they appear and can bruise quickly.

The more carefully you pick, the longer you can enjoy them.

🧊 How to Store Plums Optimally?

Plums are most delicious within 2 to 3 days of picking, but can keep well for up to a week.

For the best flavor:

  • Store ripe plums in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
  • Not-fully-ripe plums can continue ripening at room temperature.
  • Wash them only just before eating.
  • Don’t place them too close together — they need space to stay fresh.

Have they gotten a bit softer? Perfect for jam, compote, or a delicious plum tart — that’s when their natural sugars really shine.

🍽️ 3 Delicious Plum Recipes

  1. Plum-Gorgonzola Salad Combine quartered plums with arugula, walnuts, crumbled gorgonzola, and a honey-balsamic dressing. The perfect balance between sweet and tangy.

  2. Roasted Plums with Cinnamon Halve plums, sprinkle with cinnamon and a bit of honey, and roast for 20 minutes in the oven. Delicious with yogurt or ice cream.

  3. Classic Plum Tart A timeless favorite. Arrange plum halves in a butter pastry tart, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake until golden brown — pure nostalgia.

🌿 Creative Ways to Use Plums

Plums are more versatile than you think:

  • Plum chutney: Combine with onion, ginger, and vinegar for pairing with cheese or meat.
  • Natural smoothies: Their sweetness makes extra sugar unnecessary.
  • Dried as snacks: Self-dry in a low oven for a healthy treat.
  • In savory dishes: Plums pair beautifully with pork or in stews.

But sometimes the simplest way is still the best — just eating them by hand, with the juice dripping down your chin.

Plum season marks the transition to autumn, full of rich flavors and warm colors. Whether you come for the juicy fruits, the peace of the orchard, or the joy of picking together — let these weeks be filled with sweet memories.

🍇 Pick-Your-Own Locations Where You Can Pick Your Own Plums