Nectarines

Nectarines are smooth-skinned fruits of the peach species, botanically Prunus persica var. nectarina, arising from a natural mutation that suppresses the fuzzy skin of peaches. They share the peach’s sweet, juicy flesh and flavour, though their skin is smoother and often more richly coloured, with flesh ranging from white to yellow by variety. Like peaches they may be clingstone, with flesh adhering to the pit, or freestone, which matters for both eating quality and processing. They supply vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, and are eaten fresh, sliced into salads, or used as garnishes, toppings, and dessert ingredients. Gentle picking, rapid cooling, and ethylene management preserve their firmness and aroma after harvest.