A prune is a dried fruit of various plum species, mostly Prunus domestica. It is wrinkly in texture, unlike its non-dried counterpart.

Production
More than 1000 cultivars of plums are grown for drying. Four of the most common cultivars are French, Imperial, Italian, and Greengage. In general, prunes are freestone cultivars (the pit is easy to remove), whereas most other plums grown for fresh consumption are cling (the pit is more difficult to remove). Fresh prunes reach the market earlier than fresh plums and are usually smaller in size. One of the largest and best-known prune producers is Sunsweet Growers, headquartered in Yuba City, Ca., who control more than 2/3 of the prune market worldwide. In the United States, an effort to rebrand "prunes" as "dried plums" began in 2000, to appeal to a younger market who associated prunes with elderly people. However, only some varieties of plum are usually called prunes when dried; others have usually been called "dried plums" in any case. In India, the prunes is known by the Persian name or as Alu-Bukhara (literally fruit or potato of Bukhara).

Uses
Prunes are used in cooking both sweet and savory dishes. Stewed prunes, a compote, are a dessert. Prunes are a frequent ingredient in North African tangerines. Perhaps the best-known gastronomic prunes are those of Agen (pruneaux d'Agen). Prunes are used frequently in Tzimmes, a traditional Jewish dish in which the principal ingredient is diced or sliced carrots; and in traditional Norwegian fruktsuppe.

Health Benefits
Due to their high contents of dietary fibers, prunes and prune juice are common home remedies for constipation. Prunes have a high antioxidant content.

In Popular Culture
- "A warrior's drink!" - Worf, after being introduced to prune juice by Guinan in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "Yesterday's Enterprise". It becomes his favorite beverage.
-There has long been an urban myth that prune juice is an ingredient in Dr. Pepper.

References
Wikipedia

See Also
thee great one