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Place the plums in a clean paperbag.
When plums (and other fruit) ripen, theyemit ethylene. Placing them in a paper bag with the top folded overkeeps the gas close to the plums, speeding up theripening process. An even quicker method is to put a ripebanana in the bag with the plums.
In respect to this, how do you soften hard plums?
Paper Bag Method Ripe nectarines, plums and peaches give a littlewhen you press against their skins. If you've purchased hardfruit, place them in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple andfold the top closed. The fruit produces a compound called ethylenethat enhances the softening process.
Likewise, do plums ripen at home?
Plums are more likely to develop off flavors andripen irregularly when temperatures are above 77 F. Ethylenegas, naturally given off by ripening plums, increases thespeed of ripening. While not necessary, placing plumsin a paper bag holds the gas around the fruit and facilitatesripening.
You can tell when plums are ripe by applyinggentle pressure with your fingers. If the skin of the fruit feelssoft, then it is ready to be picked. Plums should come offthe tree easily with just a slight twist of the fruit. Japaneseplums are picked slightly early and allow them to ripen in acool place.