Cherries vs. Plums: What's the Difference?
By Janet White || Published on December 14, 2023
Cherries are small, round stone fruits with a sweet or tart flavor, while plums are larger, juicier fruits with a smooth pit and sweet or tangy taste.
Key Differences
Cherries are small, round fruits typically measuring about 2 cm in diameter, often with a bright red or dark color. Plums, in contrast, are generally larger and come in a variety of colors including red, purple, and yellow.
The taste of cherries can range from sweet to tart, making them versatile for both fresh eating and cooking. While, plums have a sweet and juicy flavor with a slightly tangy skin, which makes them popular for fresh consumption as well as in jams and desserts.
Cherries have a hard, inedible pit in their center, surrounded by a thin layer of juicy flesh. However, plums also contain a single large pit, but they typically have a thicker flesh around the pit.
In terms of cultivation, cherry trees are known for their beautiful spring blossoms and are cultivated worldwide. Plum trees, which also flower, are known for their adaptability to various climates and soil types.
Cherries are often eaten raw, used in baking, or made into preserves, and are also popular in alcoholic beverages like cherry liqueur. Plums are versatile in culinary uses, from eating raw to making plum wine, jams, and baked goods.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Small, around 2 cm in diameter
Larger, varies in size
Color
Typically red or dark
Red, purple, yellow, among others
Taste
Ranges from sweet to tart
Sweet and juicy with a tangy skin
Flesh and Pit
Thin layer of flesh around a hard pit
Thicker flesh around a smooth pit
Culinary Uses
Eaten raw, in baking, preserves, liqueurs
Eaten raw, in jams, baking, wine
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Cherries and Plums Definitions
Cherries
Cherries are small, round stone fruits with a sweet or tart taste.
She added fresh cherries to the fruit salad for a burst of sweetness.
Plums
Plums are medium-sized stone fruits with juicy flesh and a smooth pit.
She bit into a ripe plum, enjoying its juicy sweetness.
Cherries
Cherries are popular in desserts, preserves, and as fresh snacks.
We baked a cherry pie with the cherries we picked ourselves.
Plums
Plums vary in color from red and purple to yellow and green.
The plums at the market today were a beautiful deep purple.
Cherries
Cherries have a hard pit inside their juicy flesh.
Be careful of the pits when eating cherries.
Plums
Plums are known for their nutritional benefits, including fiber and vitamins.
Adding plums to your diet is a great way to increase your vitamin intake.
Cherries
Cherries are known for their health benefits, including high antioxidant content.
I eat cherries daily for their health benefits.
Plums
Plums are often eaten fresh, but also make excellent jams and wines.
Homemade plum jam is my favorite spread for morning toast.
Cherries
Cherries are often bright red, but can also be yellow or dark purple.
The cherry tree in our backyard was laden with dark red cherries.
Plums
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.
Cherries
Any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Prunus of the rose family, especially the sweet cherry or the sour cherry, native chiefly to northern temperate regions and having pink or white flowers and small juicy drupes.
Plums
The fruit of any of these trees.
Cherries
The yellow, red, or blackish fruit of any of these plants.
Plums
Any of several trees bearing plumlike fruit.
Plums
The fruit of such a tree.
Plums
A raisin, when added to a pudding or cake.
Plums
A sugarplum.
Plums
A dark purple to deep reddish purple.
Plums
An especially desirable position, assignment, or reward
An ambassadorship granted as a political plum.
Plums
Plural of plum
Plums
Plums are used in a variety of dishes, from sweet to savory.
For dessert, we had poached plums with vanilla ice cream.
FAQs
Can you eat cherry pits?
No, cherry pits are hard and inedible and should not be eaten.
Are cherries a type of berry?
No, cherries are stone fruits, not berries.
Are all cherries sweet?
No, some cherries are sweet while others are tart.
Are cherries used in alcoholic beverages?
Yes, cherries are used in liqueurs and flavored spirits.
Are plums bigger than cherries?
Generally, plums are larger than cherries.
Can plums be eaten raw?
Yes, plums are delicious when eaten raw.
Can cherries be yellow or black?
Yes, cherries can come in several colors including yellow, red, and black.
Are plums good for making jam?
Yes, plums make excellent jams and preserves.
Can cherries be dried like raisins?
Yes, cherries can be dried and are often used in baking and snacks.
Do cherries need to be refrigerated?
Yes, cherries should be refrigerated to maintain freshness.
Do plums ripen after being picked?
Yes, plums can continue to ripen after being picked.
Are plum pits edible?
No, like cherries, plum pits are inedible.
Do cherries have a short season?
Yes, cherries have a relatively short harvest season.
Can cherries grow in cold climates?
Cherries need a cold period but not extreme cold; they grow in temperate climates.
Are there different varieties of plums?
Yes, there are many varieties of plums with varying tastes and textures.
Are cherries and plums related?
Yes, both cherries and plums are part of the Prunus family, making them related.
Do plums come in different colors?
Yes, plums vary in color from red and purple to yellow and green.
Are plums used in traditional medicine?
Yes, plums have been used in various traditional medicinal practices.
Is it easy to grow cherry trees at home?
Growing cherry trees can be rewarding but requires specific conditions and care.
Can you make wine from plums?
Yes, plum wine is a popular use of the fruit.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
