Learn about these Southern-favorite stone fruits.
Could you point out the differences between peaches and nectarines?
Or, for a more challenging question, can you choose a favorite?
Peaches and Nectarines.Credit: Patrizia Savarese/Getty Images
We love them both equally around here.
But what’s the difference between the two?
They originated in China thousands of years ago and were eventually traded across Asia and Europe.
Nectarines.Credit: Westend61/Getty Images
Genetically, peaches and nectarines are nearly identicalbut one different allele in their genetic makeups impacts the fruits skins.
Peaches are larger, while nectarines are usually small, dense, and firmsimilar to an apples texture.
A fine fuzz covers theskin of peaches, which gives the appearance of a downy texture.
Peaches.Credit: Westend61/Getty Images
Appearance
Peaches and nectarines come in an array of golden, red, and pink hues.
They can be freestone or clingstone fruits, which refers to how easily the pitseparates from the flesh.
Both can have interior flesh in shades ofwhite and yellowtoo.
Credit: Dennis Gottlieb/Getty Images
Taste
Peaches and nectarines have a similar taste and can often beinterchanged in recipes.
They are also sweeter and juicier than another popular stone fruit: theapricot.
Nutrition
Nutritionally, the fruits have similar health benefits.
Nectarines.Credit: Ionas Kaltenbach/Getty Images
In most areas, crops ripen between May and September, depending on the selection."
According toThe New Southern Living Garden Book:“First, these are not low-maintenance plants.
Types of Nectarines
There are also many kinds of nectarine trees to choose from.
These are some of our favorites.
Mississippi State University Extension Service.
US Food & Drug Administration.Raw Fruits Poster.
Published December 13, 2017.
Harvard Health.Key minerals to help control blood pressure.
Published May 3, 2019.
Mount Sinai Health System.Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Information.
