Apricot vs. Plum: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Apricots are small, yellow-orange fruits with a smooth, velvety skin and a single pit, while plums are larger, round fruits with smooth skin that can be various colors and also contain a single pit.
Key Differences
Apricots are small, round to oval fruits known for their yellow or orange color and velvety skin. They possess a sweet, slightly tart flavor and a single large seed. Plums, on the other hand, are generally larger and round, with a variety of colors ranging from purple to red, yellow, or green, and they too have a single large seed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
The texture of apricots is notably smooth and can be somewhat firm, especially when unripe. They are often eaten fresh, dried, or used in jams and desserts. Plums have a juicy texture with a skin that can be slightly tart, contrasting with their sweet flesh. They are versatile in culinary uses, from eating raw to cooking and baking.
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Dec 06, 2023
Originating from northeast China, apricots have been cultivated for thousands of years. They thrive in temperate climates and are a popular fruit in Middle Eastern cuisine. Plums have a diverse origin, with different varieties originating from regions across the globe, and are widely cultivated in both temperate and subtropical areas.
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Dec 06, 2023
Nutritionally, apricots are rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium. They are known for their health benefits, including eye health and digestion aid. Plums, while also nutritious, are particularly noted for their antioxidant properties and vitamin C content, and they have a laxative effect due to their sorbitol and dietary fiber content.
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Dec 06, 2023
In terms of cultivation, apricot trees tend to be smaller and more spreading, with a preference for well-drained soil. Plum trees are more diverse in size and form, depending on the variety, and can adapt to a wider range of soil types. Both fruits are enjoyed globally and have distinct cultural significance in various cuisines.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Appearance
Small, round to oval, yellow-orange with velvety skin
Larger, round, comes in various colors
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Taste
Sweet with a slightly tart flavor
Juicy with a balance of sweet and tart
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Nutritional Value
Rich in vitamins A and C, fiber
High in antioxidants, vitamin C
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Dec 06, 2023
Cultivation
Smaller, spreading trees; prefer well-drained soil
Diverse in size; adaptable to various soils
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Dec 06, 2023
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Apricot and Plum Definitions
Apricot
An apricot is a small, yellow-orange fruit with a velvety texture and a sweet taste.
She added fresh apricots to her morning yogurt for a natural sweetness.
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Dec 06, 2023
Plum
Plums vary in color from purple to red, yellow, or green, and have smooth skin.
The farmers' market had an array of plum varieties, each with a unique color and taste.
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Dec 06, 2023
Apricot
An apricot is characterized by its smooth skin and a single large seed inside.
The apricot tree in their garden produced a bountiful harvest this year.
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Dec 06, 2023
Plum
In slang, "plum" can describe something exceptional or desirable.
Winning the championship was a plum achievement for the young athlete.
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Dec 06, 2023
Apricot
Apricots are small, round fruits that are often eaten fresh or dried.
He packed a handful of dried apricots for his hiking trip as a quick energy source.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Plum
Any of several shrubs or small trees of the genus Prunus of the rose family, especially the cultivated species P. domestica and P. salicina, bearing smooth-skinned, fleshy, edible fruit with a single stone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apricot
Apricots are versatile in cooking, used in both sweet and savory dishes.
She baked an apricot tart for dessert, using ripe apricots from the market.
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Dec 06, 2023
Apricot
A deciduous tree (Prunus armeniaca) native to Asia, having alternate leaves and clusters of usually white flowers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apricot
A round sweet and juicy stone fruit, resembling peach or plum in taste, with a yellow-orange flesh, lightly fuzzy skin and a large seed inside.
Pickled apricots
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Oct 19, 2023
Apricot
(color) A pale yellow-orange colour, like that of an apricot fruit.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
An especially desirable position, assignment, or reward
An ambassadorship granted as a political plum.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apricot
The junction of the brain and brain stem on a target, used as an aiming point to ensure a one-shot kill.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
An edible, fleshy stone fruit of Prunus domestica (European plum), often of a dark red or purple colour.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apricot
A fruit allied to the plum, of an orange color, oval shape, and delicious taste; also, the tree (Prunus Armeniaca of Linnæus) which bears this fruit. By cultivation it has been introduced throughout the temperate zone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apricot
Asian tree having clusters of usually white blossoms and edible fruit resembling the peach
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
The edible, fleshy stone fruit of several species resembling the plum, or the tree from which they grow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apricot
Apricots are stone fruits known for their vitamins and health benefits.
Dried apricots are a popular snack, packed with nutrients.
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Dec 06, 2023
Plum
A desirable or choice thing of its kind; a prize selection; a choice appointment, assignment etc.
The mayor rewarded his cronies with cushy plums, requiring little work for handsome pay.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
(not comparable) Choice; especially lavish or preferred.
She landed a plum position as an executive for the firm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
Completely; utterly.
You're going to think I'm plum crazy for this, but I want to adopt all seven kittens.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
The edible drupaceous fruit of the Prunus domestica, and of several other species of Prunus; also, the tree itself, usually called plum tree.
The bullace, the damson, and the numerous varieties of plum, of our gardens, although growing into thornless trees, are believed to be varieties of the blackthorn, produced by long cultivation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
A handsome fortune or property; formerly, in cant language, the sum of £100,000 sterling; also, the person possessing it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
Something likened to a plum in desirableness; a good or choice thing of its kind, as among appointments, positions, parts of a book, etc.; as, the mayor rewarded his cronies with cushy plums, requiring little work for handsome pay
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
A color resembling that of a plum; a slightly grayish deep purple, varying somewhat in its red or blue tint.
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
Any of several trees producing edible oval smooth-skinned fruit with a single hard stone
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
Any of numerous varieties of small to medium-sized round or oval smooth-skinned fruit with a single pit
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
Completely; used as intensifiers;
Clean forgot the appointment
I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out
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Oct 19, 2023
Plum
A plum is a juicy, round fruit that comes in various colors, with a sweet and tart flavor.
The plum pie she made had a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
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Dec 06, 2023
Plum
Plums are stone fruits, containing a single large seed, and are known for their antioxidant properties.
He enjoyed a fresh plum as a healthy, antioxidant-rich snack.
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Dec 06, 2023
Plum
A plum can be a tree that produces plums as its fruit.
The plum in the garden has been yielding plenty of fruit this season.
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Dec 06, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Where do apricots originate from?
Apricots are believed to originate from China.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does the word "apricot" mean in terms of etymology?
The word "apricot" comes from the Arabic word "al-barqūq."
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Dec 06, 2023
What is an apricot?
An apricot is a fruit that belongs to the Prunus armeniaca species, known for its sweet and juicy flesh.
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Dec 06, 2023
Are apricots a type of peach?
No, apricots are not peaches; they are distinct fruits.
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Dec 06, 2023
When is the apricot harvesting season?
Apricots are typically harvested in late spring to early summer.
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Dec 06, 2023
What are the common uses of apricots?
Apricots are often eaten fresh, dried, or used in cooking, baking, and making jams and preserves.
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Dec 06, 2023
Where do plums originate from?
Plums are believed to have originated in Western Asia.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can apricots be grown from seeds?
Yes, apricots can be grown from seeds, but it's more common to propagate them from cuttings or grafted branches for consistent fruit quality.
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Dec 06, 2023
What is a plum?
A plum is a fruit that belongs to the Prunus domestica species, known for its sweet and tart taste.
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Dec 06, 2023
Are apricot seeds edible?
Apricot seeds contain cyanide and are not safe to eat in large quantities.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does the word "plum" mean in terms of etymology?
The word "plum" comes from the Latin word "prunum."
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Dec 06, 2023
Are there different varieties of plums?
Yes, there are various varieties of plums, including European plums, Japanese plums, and American plums.
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Dec 06, 2023
When is the plum harvesting season?
Plum harvesting season varies depending on the variety but is generally in late summer to early autumn.
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Dec 06, 2023
What is the color of ripe apricots?
Ripe apricots are typically orange or yellow in color.
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Dec 06, 2023
Do apricot trees require a specific climate to grow?
Apricot trees thrive in warm, temperate climates with cold winters.
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Dec 06, 2023
What are the common uses of plums?
Plums are eaten fresh, dried to make prunes, used in cooking, and to make jams, jellies, and pies.
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Dec 06, 2023
Are plum pits edible?
Plum pits are not typically eaten due to their hard, inedible nature.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can plums be grown from seeds?
Yes, plums can be grown from seeds, but like apricots, it's more common to propagate them from cuttings or grafted branches for consistent fruit quality.
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Dec 06, 2023
What is the color of ripe plums?
Ripe plums can be various colors, including purple, red, yellow, and green, depending on the variety.
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Dec 06, 2023
Do plum trees require a specific climate to grow?
Plum trees thrive in temperate climates with cold winters and warm summers.
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Dec 06, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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