Allspice adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
plums
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
Stone fruits of the Prunus domestica and P. salicina species — with a balance of sweet and tart from sucrose and malic/quinic acids, and complex skin tannins t…
67 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Plum flavor complexity comes from the interaction of high sugar content (10–15% as sucrose), organic acids (primarily malic and quinic acids), and skin anthocyanins and tannins that provide a slightly astringent, drying sensation. Dark-skinned plums (Santa Rosa, Black Beauty) have the most intense flavor contrast between sweet flesh and tart, tannic skin. Cooked plums (in tarts, compotes, cakes) lose much of their tart character and become predominantly sweet-jammy; the skin's color bleeds into the preparation, tinting it purple. Umeboshi (Japanese salt-preserved plums, technically a species of apricot) represent a completely different application: intensely sour, salty, and complex from lactic acid fermentation. In savory cooking, plum sauce (stir-fried plums with ginger, garlic, and sugar) is used in Chinese cooking with duck and pork. Plum wine (umeshu) and plum brandy (Slivovitz, the Balkan tradition) demonstrate the fruit's fermentation potential. Italian prune plums (small, oval, blue-purple) are specifically suited for roasting and baking whole — their lower water content makes them more concentrated when cooked.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
allspice
almonds
anise
anise hyssop
apricots, pureed
arugula
bay leaf
brandy
butter, unsalted
buttermilk
caramel
cardamom
cherries
cider
cinnamon
cloves
coriander
cornmeal
cream and ice cream
crème fraîche
custard
gin
ginger
hazelnuts
honey
juniper berries
kirsch
lavender
lemon, juice
lemon, zest
liqueurs, almond
liqueurs, orange
liqueurs, plum
mace
maple syrup
mint
nectarines
nutmeg
oatmeal
olive oil
onions, red
orange, juice
orange, zest
peaches
pecans
pepper, black
pies
prosciutto
raisins
raspberries
rum, dark
sage
salads
sour cream
strawberries
sugar, brown
sugar, confectioners'
sugar, white
thyme
vanilla
vinegar, balsamic
vinegar, cider
walnuts
whiskey
wine, dry red or white or dessert
wine, port or sweet
yogurt
allspice
Allspice adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
almonds
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
anise
Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
anise hyssop
Anise Hyssop adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
apricots, pureed
Apricots, Pureed adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
arugula
Arugula adds complementary vegetable character, giving plums more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
bay leaf
Bay Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
brandy
Brandy adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
buttermilk
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
caramel
Caramel adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
cardamom
Cardamom adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
cherries
Cherries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
cider
Cider complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
cloves
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
coriander
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
cornmeal
Cornmeal complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
crème fraîche
Crème Fraîche adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
gin
Gin complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
ginger
Ginger complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
hazelnuts
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
honey
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
juniper berries
Juniper Berries complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
kirsch
Kirsch adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
lavender
Lavender adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lemon, zest
Lemon, Zest brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
liqueurs, almond
Liqueurs, Almond adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
liqueurs, orange
Liqueurs, Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
liqueurs, plum
Liqueurs, Plum adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
mace
Mace adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
maple syrup
Maple Syrup adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
mint
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
nectarines
Nectarines adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
nutmeg
Nutmeg adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
oatmeal
Oatmeal gives plums a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
olive oil
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
onions, red
Onions, Red supplies an allium backbone that deepens plums's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
orange, zest
Orange, Zest brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
peaches
Peaches adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
pecans
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
pepper, black
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up plums's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pies
Pies complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
prosciutto
Prosciutto adds savory richness and browned depth that gives plums more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
raisins
Raisins adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
raspberries
Raspberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
rum, dark
Rum, Dark adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
sage
Sage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
salads
Salads complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
sour cream
Sour Cream adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
strawberries
Strawberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, confectioners'
Sugar, Confectioners' adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, white
Sugar, White adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
thyme
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
vanilla
Vanilla adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
vinegar, balsamic
Vinegar, Balsamic adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, cider
Vinegar, Cider adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
walnuts
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
whiskey
Whiskey adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
wine, dry red or white or dessert
Wine, Dry Red Or White Or Dessert adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
wine, port or sweet
Wine, Port Or Sweet adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
yogurt
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
Anise Hyssop adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
apricots, pureed
Apricots, Pureed adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Arugula adds complementary vegetable character, giving plums more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Bay Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
brandy
Brandy adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Caramel adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Cardamom adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
Cherries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
cider
Cider complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Cinnamon adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
cornmeal
Cornmeal complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Crème Fraîche adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Gin complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Ginger complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Juniper Berries complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
kirsch
Kirsch adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Lavender adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lemon, zest
Lemon, Zest brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
liqueurs, almond
Liqueurs, Almond adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
liqueurs, orange
Liqueurs, Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
liqueurs, plum
Liqueurs, Plum adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Mace adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
Maple Syrup adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Nectarines adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Nutmeg adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against plums's natural base notes.
Oatmeal gives plums a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
onions, red
Onions, Red supplies an allium backbone that deepens plums's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
orange, zest
Orange, Zest brings acidity and brightness that sharpens plums's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Peaches adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up plums's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pies
Pies complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Prosciutto adds savory richness and browned depth that gives plums more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Raisins adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Raspberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
rum, dark
Rum, Dark adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Sage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
salads
Salads complements plums by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Sour Cream adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Strawberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out plums's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, confectioners'
Sugar, Confectioners' adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, white
Sugar, White adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping plums from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Vanilla adds seasoning or sweetness that balances plums's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Vinegar, Balsamic adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Cider adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives plums more contrast and substance.
Whiskey adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
wine, dry red or white or dessert
Wine, Dry Red Or White Or Dessert adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
wine, port or sweet
Wine, Port Or Sweet adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps plums work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry plums's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.