Nectarines
There are over 150 varieties of fresh nectarines available today, with two to three new varieties introduced every year. Nectarine varieties differ slightly in shape, taste, size, texture and color. Nectarines are gaining in popularity with consumers every season, and are generally a brilliant red-orange-yellow color. A ripe nectarines is evidenced by touch, not skin color, and when ripe should give gently to a little pressure. As with most fresh foods, nectarines are best consumed at room temperature. Low in fat, with no saturated fats, nectarines are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber -- the yellow nectarines are higher in beta carotene than their white-fleshed relatives.
One of the oldest fruits, nectarines were cultivated in ancient Rome, Persia and Greece, and in the late sixteenth century, Great Britain began growing this lovely fruit. As a member of the rose family, nectarines are also related to almonds, peaches, cherries, plums and loquats. Nectarines are not a cross between a peach and plum - genetically they are a variant of the common peach. Over 95% of all nectarines grown in the US are produced in California - the harvest dates are determined by the skin ground color - from green to yellow in most fruit.
Nectarines are sold by color - yellow or white flesh - some of the more popular varieties include: Swanzee, Artic Sweet, Snow Queen, Fantasia, August Glow, Flaming Red and Firebrite. A deciduous fruit, the flowers vary from deep rose to a beautiful white, and love warm, dry weather - harvest begins when the fruit is near maturity when the fruit turns from green to yellow, but is still firm enough to travel many miles without bruising. When selecting fresh nectarines, choose the fruit that is fragrant, firm, has good color and smooth, glossy skin. Ripen nectarines in a fruit bowl - refrigerate in a sealed container once the fruit is ripe.
There are two groups of stone fruit: freestone (the seed is easily removed) and cling stone (the seed clings to the fruit). While nectarine trees occasionally produce peaches, and the peach tree nectarines, this is because of bud variation - mutation - the nectarine has been around for over 2,000 years, and it is not clear whether the nectarine appeared before the peach! The name nectarine means sweet - as nectar - and is very likely the origin of the name - unlike peaches, nectarines are generally eaten unpeeled, and the skin can be left on when making desserts and fresh fruit salads.
Nectarines are great eaten fresh in fresh fruit salads, cobblers, crisps, pies, smoothies. Add fresh nectarines to other fresh fruits for juicing - an excellent way to begin your day!