The plum varietal refers to the different types of plums available. They are mainly divided into four groups: European, Japanese, American and Damson.
1. European Plums: They are small, dense, sweet and oval-shaped. They are often used in baking or cooking. Example - 'Stanley', 'Italian Prune' etc.
2. Japanese Plums: They are large, round, juicy, and perfect for eating fresh. They are also used in making jams and jellies. Example - 'Santa Rosa', 'Shiro' etc.
3. American Plums: They are wild plums known for their excellent cold hardiness. They are small, round and their taste varies from sweet to tart.
4. Damson Plums: They are small, oval-shaped and have a distinct, astringent taste. They are mainly used for cooking, baking and jam making.
Plums are usually rich in fiber and antioxidants and are known for their delicious taste as well as their health benefits. Plums can range in colors from red, yellow, green, blue, indigo to purple and can have either a sweet or tart flavor.