Sweet plums going tart as I chew

Sweet plums going tart as I chew - Top view of delicious sprinkled jelly sweets composed in lines with one candy aside on pink backdrop in candy shop

I have noticed that when I eat a plum that at least near the skin layer my sweet receptors are first activated by the plum juice and flesh but the more I chew it(doesn't matter if it is flesh or skin) the more tart it gets and if I were to continue chewing it could probably get as sour as a lemon.

So why does the plum become tart when I chew on it but with the initial bite it is sweet?



Best Answer

Saliva breaks down sugars and starches. That is why candies dissolve so well, and it's why bread or crackers taste sweeter the longer you chew them. What saliva does not break down are acids, which are tart or sour. The longer you chew the fruit, the more sugars and starches are broken down and swallowed, leaving the tangier acids intact.




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Why are my plums sour?

A free amino group of a protein reacts with a carbon-R group of a sugar, producing something called N-glycosylamine. This is unstable and is basically a downstream product. It breaks down into something called the melanoidins, which can be bitter to taste.

How do you fix sour plums?

Cut the plums in half and remove the pits. Place in a saucepan with the water and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, or until soft.

Are plums supposed to taste sour?

In conclusion, plums are generally sweet and sour. What is this? Most people enjoy their tart, puckery flavor as breakfast food or in jams. Others prefer them for dessert due to the sweeter taste they provide.

Are plums sweet or tart?

Because of the tender texture of the flesh of a ripe plum, it doesn't lend itself to cooking as well as, say, a peach or nectarine. But with a little care, you can capture its sweet-tart flavor in all of its glory. How to choose: Plums should be slightly soft and fragrant.



Individual Plum Tarts - A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®




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