NATIONAL PRUNE DAY- JUNE 15

National Prune Day is celebrated on June 15 every year. On this day, the many health benefits of these dried plums are highlighted. Prunes are incredibly rich in fiber, vitamin A, and cancer-fighting antioxidants. What’s more, they’re also good for your vision and digestion. It also helps prevent muscular degeneration and night blindness. But don’t be deceived — there are many ways to eat this fruit. If you’re not a fan of its texture, discover different ways to consume them. From cakes, and juices, to salads, this is the time to be creative in incorporating prunes into your diet.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL PRUNE DAY

Despite being a popular western food product, prunes actually originated in China. The Chinese cultivated wild plums where they processed them from sour plums to sweet fruit using molasses and brown sugar. They’re dried under the sun before turning into this wrinkly fruit we all know today. The sugar acts as a preservative, which makes them last longer. These fruits are used as stock food items in case their harvest is poor, as well as snacks and meal replacements for travelers.

The popularity of prunes quickly reached the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The Romans planted the first and most popular variety of prune, which is the little blue plum. It was first harvested in Narbonnaise province, which quickly extended to modern-day Quercy.

The grafting of prunes occurred in the 12th century when Benedectine monks returned from their third crusade and brought new varieties from Syria. They grafted the Syrian Damas variety with the local ones, producing a new variety called ‘Prune d’Ente.’ This new variety has a fine, waxy, and powdery layer that quickly adapted to the southwest soil, making it a staple harvest for the locals.

Its immense demand rose from the 17th century to the end of the 19th century when it was deemed a ‘superfood’ by food experts. It became a staple for sailors and navy personnel as they were packed with vitamins and minerals, giving them energy for the entire day. Later on, they started incorporating prunes with a batter made of flour and eggs. This recipe is now known as the famous ‘breton far aux pruneaux.’ In contemporary times, prunes are now promoted by health experts and dieticians to people who have digestive problems, low blood sugar, and patients with vitamin A deficiency.

NATIONAL PRUNE DAY TIMELINE

12th Century The Grafting of Prunes

Benedictine monks graft Syrian prunes with local varieties, discovering the ‘Prune d’Ente.’

1709 The Season that Destroys Prunes

A harsh winter in Agen forces farmers to plant their plums in the Villeneuvois and Agenais where the temperature is ideal.

1850 Reaching California

Grafted prunes make their way to California, becoming the main state that produces prunes in the U.S.

1870 The Rise of Prunes

Californian prunes reach popularity and are in demand in the U.S.