John Myers
The flat peach is a mutation of the peach and differs – as the name suggests – in shape, but also in taste: the white flesh of the flesh is particularly sweet and aromatic in ripe specimens. The stone fruit varieties peach and apricot are closely related. Nevertheless, there are clear differences between them. The nectarine, on the other hand, is probably a mutant of the peach. All three types of stone fruit belong to the rose family, which also includes plums, cherries and almonds. Peach, apricot and nectarine differ in taste, skin and structure.
The peach originally comes from China. There are many different types of peaches, but most are characterized by a round or slightly pointed fruit shape. A typical feature of peaches is the velvety skin with downy hairs. There is also a longitudinal furrow that runs across the surface of the fruit and a clearly deepened stem base. The color varies from orange and red to shades of yellow and even greenish. The fruits are usually sold relatively hard because they are very sensitive, but ripen within a few days. Peaches are in season between May and September – their taste is sweet and aromatic, which is why the fruit is usually eaten raw or processed into sweet dishes and desserts.
Like the peach, the apricot originally comes from Central Asia, probably from northern China. Numerous subspecies are also known from it. However, apricots are significantly smaller than peaches and, in comparison, have a skin that is mostly smooth and rarely velvety. Another distinguishing feature is the seam that runs around the apricot and divides the fruit in half. The stone in the apricot can be easily separated from the flesh. Apricots are yellow to orange with whitish, yellowish, or orange flesh. It is slightly less juicy than that of the peach. Apricots taste sweet and aromatic and can be processed like peaches or eaten raw. Always delicious: Juicy apricot cake from the tin. Bake right away!
The nectarine is probably a mutant of the peach. She differs from him, among other things, in her smooth skin. In contrast to the juicy-sweet peach, the taste of the nectarine can have a slightly sour note. Characteristics such as size, core structure and the longitudinal furrow, on the other hand, are shared between nectarines and peaches.
The main supplier countries for peaches and nectarines for the German market are Italy, Spain, France, and Greece. The white-fleshed varieties of peaches and nectarines are enjoying increasing popularity. Apricots also come from the countries mentioned, with additional apricots from Turkey.
