sliwka

Śliwka, in Polish śliwka, is the fruit of Prunus domestica, a small to medium stone fruit with smooth skin and a single pit. In Polish usage, the term can refer to both fresh plums and dried plums (prunes). The flesh can range in color from yellow to red to deep purple, depending on the cultivar.

The name derives from the Proto-Slavic word sliva and is cognate with similar terms in other Slavic languages, such as Russian sliva and Serbian šljiva. It designates both the fruit and, when dried, the product known as prune.

There are many cultivars of plums grown for fresh eating and processing. In Poland, well-known types include Węgierka (Hungarian plum) and Mirabelka. Plum trees prefer temperate climates, well-drained soil, and a period of winter chill. Harvest occurs in late summer to early autumn, with commercial production separating fresh-market fruit from dried prunes.

Fresh plums are consumed as fruit and used in desserts and preserves, as well as processed into jams and juices. Dried plums, or prunes, are widely traded and used in cooking and baking, as well as eaten as snacks. Plum brandy and liqueurs, such as śliwowica and śliwowka, are produced in many regions, reflecting a long-standing culinary tradition.

Plums are relatively low in calories and provide vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Dried prunes are energy-dense and have higher sugar content. The stone should not be consumed; pits contain small amounts of cyanogenic compounds.