Prune

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Prune
Zwetschgenmännla, figurines made from prunes, walnuts and figs at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Chocolate coated prunes, a popular type of confectionery in Eastern Europe

The prunes (also prune in Austria Dörrzwetschke ) is a dried plum , ie a dried fruit . Prünellen are peeled, pitted and dried plums . Prünellen used to be considered a particularly fine dried fruit and was mainly produced in southern France. Depending on the quality class, a distinction was made between imperial, royal, demi-choir and Katharinen plums as well as pistolets and Brignol prünellen.

Government regulations and production

According to EU Regulation No. 464/1999, prunes may contain a maximum of 23% moisture. A distinction is also made between “semi-dry prunes” with a moisture content of 30–35%. As a minimum requirement, it stipulates that prunes must be healthy and of perfect quality before drying. In addition, they must be free from animal and vegetable pests and the plums to be dried must be free from cracks. Prunes must be free from mold. Industrially produced prunes are dipped in dilute sodium hydroxide solution or 0.7% potassium carbonate solution and then steamed for a short time at 60-70 ° C in order to obtain a better appearance with a smooth, dark skin.

Special use in German cuisine

Prunes are traditionally also sold as plum slices at the Dresden Striezelmarkt and are part of the Leipziger Räbchen . Zwetschgenmännla are traditionally figurines sold at Bavarian Christmas markets - especially in Franconia. The head is represented by a walnut and the body by figs, the arms and legs are made of prunes.

Medical importance

Prunes are considered a home remedy for constipation . A randomized controlled study from 2019 was able to demonstrate clear effects on both bowel movements and the frequency of flatulence when consuming 80 g prunes per day. This study appeared after the European Food Safety Authority was unable to confirm this effect because there were insufficient studies on it in 2012.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The experienced farmer: A useful counselor for young housewives who want to make friends with the business of agriculture. CH Beck, Nördlingen 1841, p. 177.
  2. ↑ Hermann Klencke : The educated housewife as an economic buyer and administrator according to natural history, health theory, economy and good morals. E. Kummer, Leipzig 1871, p. 225.
  3. ↑ Regulation (EC) No. 464/99 (PDF) .
  4. ↑ Werner Baltes, Reinhard Matissek: Food chemistry. Springer-Verlag, 2011, p. 529. (books.google.de)
  5. Jump up ↑ E. Lever, SM Scott, P. Louis, PW Emery, K. Whelan: The effect of prunes on stool output, gut transit time and gastrointestinal microbiota: A randomized controlled trial. In: Clin Nutr. 38 (1), Feb 2019, pp. 165-173. PMID 29398337
  6. ↑ Food inspection: how healthy are prunes? In: The time. May 12, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to prunes and contribution to normal bowel function pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Web links

Commons : Prunes  - Collection of images, videos and audio files