By: Elizabeth J. Fichtner, PhD, Farm Advisor, UCCE Tulare County Photo By: Elizabeth J Fichtner PhD.
When the almonds have finished blooming in late February, Tulare County and the Ivanhoe region can look forward to the next floral display in mid-March when the local prunes bloom (Figure 1). Like almonds, the flower buds of prunes open before the vegetative buds leaf out, producing a dramatic display of white flowers. Each flower contains both female and male parts (Figure 2). The common variety, ‘French’, is self-compatible meaning that the pollen produced on the tree can fertilize the female flower parts on the same tree and even in the same flower. Because of this compatibility, honeybees are not needed for pollination; however, some beekeepers store hives near prune orchards after almond bloom is complete. The bees may be seen collecting nectar from prune blossoms, thus providing sustenance for bee colonies.
Prune orchards produce their first economic crop approximately 4-6 years after planting; however, full production isn’t realized until about 10-12 years later. Although prunes can be consumed as a fresh fruit, the majority are processed for consumption as a dried product. Each tree may produce 150-300 pounds of fresh fruit and three pounds of fresh fruit yield approximately one pound of dried fruit. While fresh fruit like peaches, nectarines, and plums are harvested by hand to prevent bruising, prunes are harvested by machine using the same shaker technology as the pistachio industry. Prunes are shaken from the tree and collected on a catch-frame so the fruit never touch the ground. The fruit are then elevated into bins along chains that allow smaller, non-commercial-sized fruit to drop to the ground. After harvest, prunes are transported to dehydrators where they are washed and dried in ovens to allow for long term storage. Upon demand, the dehydrated prunes and reconstituted for sale and consumers can find them in stores as a pitted product, generally in the baking section near raisons.
Tulare County prune acreage accounts for approximately 5% of California’s 40,000 acres in production. California’s 600 prune growers are responsible for about 70% of global production. Other world producers include France, Chile, and Argentina. Prunes have the unique quality of being able to be dried whole without fermentation occurring around the pit. They have a very high sugar content which facilitates drying and contributes to the sweetness of the product.
Prunes are a sweet and nutritious snack that make a valuable addition to the pantry. They are a low glycemic index fruit; much of the sweetness comes from sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, in the fruit. Additionally, prunes are a good source of fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. They have long been hailed as a cure for constipation, but they are also beneficial for gut health. Research studies indicate that a snack of four to six prunes a day may have health benefits.
Comments are closed.