You may be wondering why we split our categories into "Yellow Flesh Tree Fruit" and "White Flesh Tree Fruit" rather than peaches and nectarines. The reason for this is the reason behind a lot of the decisions we make around here: flavor. Yellow peaches and nectarines have a higher acidity than white fleshed varieties, giving them that tangy, sweet flavor that peaches and nectarines are known for.
This reputation had declined for quite some time, as growers began to plant varieties based on color and size - the visual aspects that first draw you to fruit in the store. But people became nostalgic for that home-grown, heirloom peach flavor and aroma. Our growers planted our varieties for flavor, and because of that, our company is known for its rich, sweet, and juicy peaches and nectarines.
So if flavor is the biggest difference between these white and yellow flesh varieties, what's the difference between peaches and nectarines? It's the fuzz. Peaches and nectarines both belong the family prunus persica, with the differentiation occurring at the varietal level - peaches are prunus persica, while nectarines are prunus persica nucipersica. Meaning, nectarines have a recessive gene that doesn't allow fuzz growth.
An interesting note for those who are allergic to almonds: because of the family relation between peaches and almonds, there is a good chance you are allergic to peach fuzz. So if you suffer from almond allergies, you should be able to eat nectarines without trouble, and peeled peaches would also be fine - it would just be the fuzzy skin that triggers your almond allergy.
Find out more about: The History of the Peach
Peaches | Nectarines |
---|---|
Yellow Peaches Variety Types | Availability |
---|---|
Super Lady | 4/21 |
Super Rich | 5/3 |
Spring Treat | 5/4 |
Honey Princess | 5/11 |
Honey Sweet | 5/22 |
Spring Princess | 5/10 |
Sugar Time | 5/30 |
Earli Rich | 6/1 |
Early Heirloom | 6/8 |
Sierra Rich | 6/20 |
Sweet Dream | 6/21 |
June Flame | 6/26 |
Summer Flame | 7/1 |
Strawberry Heirloom | 7/2 |
Candy Princess | 7/11 |
Sweet Henry | 8/4 |
Crimson Sun | 8/11 |
Sweet Juana | 8/15 |
Autumn Jewel | 8/30 |
Sweet September | 9/1 |
* Proprietary Varieties are shown in Bold Italics |
Yellow Peaches Flat Variety Types | Availability |
---|---|
Golden Moon | 7/20 |
* Proprietary Varieties are shown in Bold Italics |
Yellow Nectarine Variety Types | Availability |
---|---|
Ruby Fire | 4/26 |
Zee Fire | 5/7 |
Honey May | 5/9 |
Red Roy | 5/13 |
Red Jewel | 5/18 |
Rose Bright | 5/23 |
Kay Sweet | 6/2 |
Honey Blaze | 6/15 |
Spring Bright | 6/7 |
Honey Fire | 6/9 |
June Sweet | 6/10 |
Ruby Diamond | 6/13 |
Honey Red | 6/15 |
Crimson Sweet | 6/15 |
Sugarine 1 | 6/24 |
Grand Bright | 7/3 |
Sugarine 2 | 7/21 |
Summer Jewel | 7/18 |
Honey Royal | 7/28 |
August Glow | 8/2 |
August Fire | 8/5 |
September Bright | 8/28 |
Orange Honey Heirloom | 9/2 |
* Proprietary Varieties are shown in Bold Italics |