Find out when one of the sweetiest fruits of the summer is in season.
We will answer when is the peak of the pluot or plumcot season for varieties like Dinosaur Egg and Honey Punch!
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One of the newest, most exciting additions to the produce world in the last several years is the pluot. This fruit is a mix between plums and apricots that showcase more plum characteristics than apricot.
The excitement continues to grow with new varieties coming out with cool names like Dapple Dandy, Flavor Grenade, and Eagle Egg.
They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some even come with dinosaur stickers on them, which is why my kids and I am sure many others call them dinosaur fruit - great marketing Kingsburg Orchards.
This post will help you know when is the best time of year to track these fruits down.
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🌳 Where Are They Grown?
All of the pluots I have seen show up in the grocery store have been from California. The only other origin I have come across was a couple Chilean pluots during the winter, but those sightings were pretty rare.
You can grow them where you would grow plums and I heard of farmers growing pluots here in Michigan. But when it comes to commercial pluots, California is the only player in the game. So I am going to base the window for pluot season on the California crop.
☀️ When in Season?
Here is what you need to know about the pluot season:
- The earliest varieties hit stores in mid May with the latest varieties wrapping up in late September to early October.
- Late July to through the entire month of August I would say is the prime of the season in which the most varieties and some of the most flavorful ones are available.
It was around that time last year, I took my kids to Joe Randazzo's Fruit and Vegetables in Westland, Michigan, where they have 5 to 6 different types of once. My kids had some much fun asking me to try different ones like Mango Tango, Lone Star, and Dinosaur Egg.
For the first time in 2020, I saw Kroger stores really pushing pluots (as well as apriums) with a sale on them and several varieties to pick from. This happened in the month of August.
🥊 Pluot vs. Plumcot
You may see both of these terms used to describe the same fruit. Some ways I have seen them defined is that plumcots are actually a 50/50 plum & apricot mix and pluots are a higher percentage of plums.
For marketing person, I think know you see the terms used interchangeablely, so I think a clear definition doesn't exist anymore.
📜 Varieties
The wonderful thing about pluots is that they are just so many varieties out there.
I have a blast each year trying to try as many as I can.
Here are some that I have tried myself:
Honey Red Dino Pluot
In my opinion this is the first really good pluot of the season. The earliest I tend to find is Flavorosa, which isn't bad, but the Honey Red Dino that come out in the first half of June are amazing. Super sweet and flavorful. The ones I bought were on the small size - perfect for my kids to snack upon.
Flavor Grenade
Without a doubt this has to be the coolest name for a piece of fruit in history. This pluot are shaped like a grenande and are bursting with flavor. They are more firm than many of the other varieties.
Available in August
Honey Punch
This pluot is so sweet is punches you right in the face. It is a purple pluot with a bright red interior. When these are ripe, they can't be beat. They are one of the most widely distributed pluots. I have seen them at Whole Foods Market and Kroger during the heart of the summer.
Available in
Dapple Dandy
This one is also called Dinosaur Egg or maybe labelled as molted pluot. It has a speckled appearance and is another of the easiest varieties to find. It's a great pluot to introduce your friends and family to the fruit.
Available in late July/early August
Eagle Egg
One of the earlier varieties to hit stores. I have found them at Walmart in the past. Not of my favorites but I still haven't met a pluot I didn't like.
Available in June
Eagle Egg
One of the earlier varieties to hit stores. I have found them at Walmart in the past. Not of my favorites but I still haven't met a pluot I didn't like.
Available in June
Plumogranate
This one is bursting with rich flavor. It's super dark on the inside. It's not some crazy pomegrante plum hybrid, which at this time is not possible, but who knows what the future holds. One of the best.
Available in July
Plumogranate
This one is bursting with rich flavor. It's super dark on the inside. It's not some crazy pomegrante plum hybrid, which at this time is not possible, but who knows what the future holds. One of the best.
Available in July
Dapple Fire
This one has a similar color as Dapple Dandy but a little more brown and the shape is not as round. It actually is a nectacotum - part plum, apricot, and nectarine. You can taste a little of the essence of a nectarine in this fruit.
Available in July
Sierra Honey
These have have found at Costco and boy are they yummy. They ay be listed as a plum sometimes but rest assure they fall into the pluot category. This ones will actually begin turning more red as they ripen and get softer.
Available in September
Flavor Fall
A very last season variety. As the name suggest they are available in the fall. I even got them in November at a farmer's market in California before. A good variety that hold up well.
Available in October & November
What is the best pluot you have found so far? Leave us a comment below.
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➕ More Pluot Posts
We are adding more pluot content as we can, here is what we have so far:
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