What is a sugar plum?

The "sugar plum" isn't a specific, single fruit or confection. It's a term used in a few different ways:

  • In folklore and literature: The sugar plum is a largely metaphorical confection, often appearing in children's stories and songs like "The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker. Here, it represents a sweet, delightful, and often fantastical treat, more a symbol of joy and sweetness than a real thing. Its exact composition is left to the imagination, but it often conjures images of something rich, colorful, and possibly jewel-like.

  • As a confection: In real-world confectionery, a "sugar plum" could refer to several things: candied plums, sugared plums, or even small, plum-flavored sweets. These would be actual treats, but the term is somewhat loose and doesn't specify a single recipe. It could be a coated plum, a gumdrop, or something similar, depending on the maker.

In short, the sugar plum is more of a charming and evocative image than a precisely defined food item. Its meaning changes depending on the context.