This masterpost serves as a reference guide for identifying the distinctive characteristics of various Prunus stone fruit varieties.
To achieve a perfect score of 5.0 for taste, the fruit must:
- Exhibit a bright and unmistakable flavour.
- Have a vibrant sweetness that is well-balanced with acidity.
- Be juicy without being overly watery.
- Offer a subtle, floral undertone that enhances its sweetness.
- Leave a lingering, refreshing finish on the palate.
For a fruit plum to earn 5.0 for texture, it should:
- Feature juicy yet firm flesh.
- Have a relatively thin skin.
- Avoid excessive fibrousness.
- Provide a smooth and pleasant mouthfeel without graininess.
- Retain a satisfying, crisp bite while still being easy to chew.
Apricot
Lady Cot
Appearance: These apricots, from Prima Fresh Fruit’s Pride of Prima brand, were likely of the Lady Cot variety, based on the late-season varieties grown by the brand. Each fruit was about 55 mm in diameter with bright orange skin and a red blush covering half of the smooth surface.
- Taste: 4.0 – The flavour was moderately juicy and sweet with lingering acidity when fully ripe. It had a more fragrant apricot profile compared to the typically bland supermarket varieties. However, the vibrancy that characterises freshly picked apricots from earlier years was missing, making these less appealing than dried apricots. In comparison to other stone fruits in season, these apricots lacked the combination of juicy sweetness, aromatic flavour, and crisp texture needed to stand out.
- Texture: 4.0 – The apricots had firm orange flesh with a crisp texture reminiscent of a Golden Queen peach, offering a satisfying bite.
Cherry
Blush
Appearance: Creamy light yellow to medium yellow-orange, often developing a red blush as they ripen.
- Taste: 5.0 – The skin marks easily but this does not affect the flavour. The redder the skin, the sweeter the fruit. These cherries have a tarter, sharper flavour reminiscent of Sato-Nishiki cherries from Japan, with a fresher taste compared to the muskier profile of red-black cherries.
- Texture: 5.0 – Featuring a thin, delicate skin and firm, creamy-yellow flesh.
Peach
Golden Queen
Appearance: The Golden Queen is a yellow-fleshed, yellow-skinned peach. This late-ripening variety from New Zealand is known for its firm clingstone flesh, commonly used in canning.
- Taste: 5.0 – This peach boasted a vibrant flavour with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, making it a top choice. It had a crunchier texture and less juiciness compared to red-skinned, yellow-fleshed peaches, yet maintained a similar flavour. Its slightly higher acidity level provided a more complex taste compared to the predominantly sweet white-fleshed peaches commonly found. The firmer flesh also ensured that the skin did not contribute any fibrous texture or astringency, which can sometimes be an issue with white-fleshed peaches.
- Texture: 5.0 – The slightly fuzzy skin of the Golden Queen offered little resistance when bitten into, revealing firm, dense flesh with a gentle crunch, making it highly satisfying to eat.
Flat
Appearance: Flat peaches are distinguished by their flattened shape and smoother skin compared to more common peach varieties. This particular peach featured a red exterior with white flesh.
- Taste: 5.0 – Sweeter than regular white peaches yet unmistakably peach-like, this fruit offered a crisp sweetness enriched by subtle almond undertones, resulting in a more nuanced and flavorful profile.
- Texture: 5.0 – The skin, though slightly fuzzy, yielded easily to a bite, revealing firm, dense flesh with a satisfying crunch
Nectarine
Flat
Appearance: Flat nectarines are characterised by their distinctive flattened shape and smooth skin, similar to common nectarine varieties. This particular fruit featured a vibrant red exterior over a yellow base, with white, juicy flesh.
- Taste: 5.0 – notably sweeter than regular white nectarines while retaining its quintessential nectarine flavour. It delivered a crisp sweetness complemented by a mellow tanginess, resulting in a more nuanced and complex flavour profile.
- Texture: 5.0 – the slightly thicker skin was easy to bite through, revealing firm, dense flesh with a satisfying crunch
Plum
Purple Skin
Angelino (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: The Angelino plum is a freestone variety with a round shape, approximately 55 mm in diameter. It has a shiny, dark purple to almost black skin and golden yellow flesh.
- Taste: 2.5 – The flavour is mild, but its tartness overshadows any underlying sweetness, even when fully ripe.
- Texture: 4.0 – The thick skin adheres tightly to the firm flesh, which is dense and offers little resistance when bitten into.
Black Splendour (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: This plum from Vigliaturo Orchards has a round shape, around 65 mm in diameter, with shiny, smooth black skin and golden yellow flesh.
- Taste: 4.0 – It offers juicy sweetness complemented by mellow tart notes, providing a fragrant plum flavour. However, the thick skin leaves a very tangy finish after the flesh melts away.
- Texture: 4.0 – The firm texture remains even when ripe, though the skin can be tangy as the flesh softens.
Candy Giant (Red Flesh)
Appearance: This plum from Central Park Produce has a heart shape, about 65 mm in diameter, with shiny, smooth purple skin and pink-red flesh.
- Taste: 5.0 – The rich, strawberry-like sweetness balanced with a soft acidity makes it a standout, offering a unique berry flavour that persists throughout.
- Texture: 5.0 – The skin is thinner than most black-skinned plums, and the firm yet yielding flesh melts effortlessly away, providing an exceptionally pleasant mouthfeel.
Croc Eggs (Red Flesh)
Appearance: From Sunfruit Orchards, this variety is named for its resemblance to a crocodile egg. It has a round shape, about 55 mm in diameter, with black skin and flesh that transitions from dark red at the edges to yellow near the centre.
- Taste: 3.0 – While sweeter than black-skinned, yellow-fleshed plums, the flavour lacks vibrancy and sweetness.
- Texture: 3.0 – The firm, almost crunchy flesh and tart skin provide a unique but less satisfying bite.
Croc Eggs (Dark Red Flesh)
Appearance: From Montague Farms, this plum is round, about 55 mm in diameter, with shiny black skin and deep burgundy-red flesh.
- Taste: 3.0 – The sweet, plummy flavour is rich but lacks the intensity of other red plums. The tartness from the skin lingers after the flesh melts away.
- Texture: 3.0 – The firm texture is retained even when ripe, with the skin being easy to bite through but leaving a tangy finish.
Queen Garnet (Dark Red Flesh)
Appearance: This plum, with shiny black skin and deep burgundy-black flesh, is round and about 60 mm in diameter.
- Taste: 5.0 – The flavour is rich and musky, balancing sweetness and acidity with the intensity of dark fruits. The tart skin is manageable and does not detract from the overall experience.
- Texture: 5.0 – The firm flesh and yielding skin provide a satisfying bite without an overly tangy finish.
Red Skin
Amber Jewel (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: This heart-shaped plum from Central Park Produce is about 65 mm in diameter, with red skin and firm yellow flesh.
- Taste: 5.0 – It has an intense candy-like sweetness that lingers, with minimal tartness from the thin skin.
- Texture: 5.0 – The firm flesh and thin skin create a balanced, juicy bite.
Cherry (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: A heart-shaped plum, about 30 mm in diameter, with vibrant red skin and dense yellow flesh.
- Taste: 3.0 – Bold tartness, reminiscent of green apple, dominates the flavour, while the thick skin leads to a sour finish.
- Texture: 3.0 – The small size and thick skin contribute to a sour and fibrous texture.
Color-Cot (Red Flesh)
Appearance: A heart-shaped plum, about 30 mm in diameter, with vibrant purple skin and dense red flesh.
- Taste: 4.0 – sweet, with a firm and crunchy bite. Sweet.
- Texture: 4.0 – firmness of an apricot with a thin skin.
Dapple Dandy (Red Flesh)
Appearance: This plumcot from Cutri Fruit is about 55 mm in diameter, with dappled red skin and vividly red flesh.
- Taste: 4.0 – The flavour is sweet with mild tartness, delivering a balanced, enjoyable plum experience.
- Texture: 5.0 – The soft, juicy flesh melts easily, while the thin skin avoids leaving an overly tangy finish.
Flavour Fall (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: This pluot has a round shape, about 55 mm in diameter, with a matte deep maroon skin and golden yellow flesh.
- Taste: 3.5 – The mild plum flavour is enhanced by musky notes and a balanced sweetness, though it lacks vibrancy.
- Texture: 4.0 – The firm, juicy flesh with a subtle crunch prevents an overly sour finish.
Sweet Pixie Cherry Plum
Appearance: This is a hybrid fruit combining the characteristics of cherries and plums. It is small and round, approximately 30 mm in diameter, with smooth, dark red skin resembling that of a cherry. When ripe, the flesh is tender and juicy, displaying a vibrant reddish hue.
- Taste: 4.5 — delightfully sweet and bursting with rich plum notes, with only a subtle hint of plum-like tartness. The profile harmoniously blends the sweetness of cherries with the tangy richness of plums, creating a refreshing and well-balanced experience.
- Texture: 5.0 — the medium-thick skin yields to a crisp bite, releasing a juicy burst of flavour.
September Candy (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: This plum has a blocky round shape, about 55 mm in diameter, with shiny red skin and golden yellow flesh.
- Taste: 2.5 – It offers a bright plum flavour with notable tartness, even when ripe.
- Texture: 3.5 – The firm, crunchy flesh and medium-thick skin provide a unique, but less juicy, experience.
Red Candy (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: A blocky round plum, measuring about 55 mm, with shiny red skin and golden yellow flesh.
- Taste: 3.0 – Sweet plum flavour with a hint of acidity makes for a more balanced taste than the September Candy.
- Texture: 4.0 – The juicy, firm flesh delivers a satisfying soft crunch.
Tiger Red (Red Flesh)
Appearance: This round plum, about 55 mm in diameter, has a matte deep red skin and vivid red flesh.
- Taste: 4.0 – The sweet, plummy flavour with subtle tropical notes and bright acidity creates an enjoyable experience.
- Texture: 5.0 – The thin skin and firm, juicy flesh provide a smooth and balanced texture.
Unspecified (Red Flesh)
Appearance: A small, round plum, about 45 mm in diameter, with smooth pink-brown skin and beige veining. The flesh transitions from dark burgundy red at the edges to a lighter shade toward the centre.
- Taste: 4.0 – A vibrant floral sweetness with fresh acidity, offering a rich, juicy flavour balanced by the skin’s mild tartness.
- Texture: 5.0 – The skin yields easily, while the soft, pulpy flesh melts in the mouth, providing a smooth and delicate texture.
Unspecified (Red Flesh) – Montague Tree Premium
Appearance: A larger plum, around 65 mm in diameter, with light pink-red skin.
- Taste: 4.0 – Similar to the smaller variety, with a balanced mix of floral sweetness and fresh acidity. The larger size reduces tartness by improving the flesh-to-skin ratio.
- Texture: 5.0 – The soft, juicy flesh and easily biteable skin create a pleasant mouthfeel, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Yellow Skin
Aurora (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: A round, free-stone plum, about 55 mm in diameter, with bright yellow mottled skin.
- Taste: 4.0 – A bright sweetness balanced by sour notes, though lacking the depth seen in red-fleshed varieties.
- Texture: 4.0 – The relatively thick skin provides resistance, while the juicy, firm flesh adds a refreshing texture.
King Midas (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: A round, 55 mm plum with glossy, smooth light yellow skin and matching flesh.
- Taste: 3.0 – Crisp, juicy sweetness followed by a pronounced tartness from the thick skin, placing it closer to black-skinned, yellow-fleshed plums in flavour profile.
- Texture: 3.0 – The firm, dense flesh contrasts with the tart skin, creating a balance that leans toward a sharper finish.
October Sun (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: A round, blocky plum, about 55 mm in diameter, with yellow skin blushed with red and golden yellow flesh.
- Taste: 4.0 – Juicy sweetness with a hint of fresh acidity, without the sourness typically found in other varieties.
- Texture: 4.0 – The medium-thick skin tightly adheres to the firm flesh, offering a slightly crunchy texture that enhances the overall eating experience.
Green Skin
Turtle Egg (Yellow Flesh)
Appearance: A round, free-stone plum, about 55 mm in diameter, with bright green skin and golden flesh.
- Taste: 5.0 – The honey-like sweetness and crisp texture resemble a juicy apple with plum flavour, making it a surprising and delightful choice.
- Texture: 5.0 – The crisp, almost crunchy flesh offers an incredible mouthfeel that stands out from typical plums.