Products : Fruits : Nectarine

When nectarines appear on the market, summer is automatically marked. This juicy and very aromatic fruit is associated with high temperatures and we have certainly associated it with beach getaways, as it makes a great snack by the sea. Its high nutritional value makes it a fruit for daily consumption by young and old alike.The variety P. persica var. the nucipersica (or nectarine var.) is commonly called nectarine. Nectarines are smaller than peaches, have smooth skin and golden yellow flesh, which turns red in the centre. Their yellow flesh has a noticeable pinkish tinge, a distinct aroma and a more intense flavour. It is believed that nectarines are the result of a cross between peaches and plums. There are more than 100 varieties.

As with peaches, nectarines can be white or yellow. On average, nectarines are slightly smaller and sweeter than peaches. The aroma of nectarines is very strong and characteristic: Approximately 110 chemical compounds contribute to peach flavor, including alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, polyphenols and terpenoids.

Nectarines, like peaches, probably originated in China, where they were cultivated over 2,000 years ago, as well as in ancient Persia, Greece and Rome. They flourished in Great Britain in the late 16th and early 17th centuries and were introduced to America by the Spanish. The first recorded reference in English is from 1616 but it was probably developed much earlier within the peach region of central and eastern Asia. Although one source states that nectarines were introduced to the United States by David Fairchild of the Department of Agriculture in 1906 many colonial newspaper articles mention nectarines being grown in the United States prior to the Revolutionary War. Today, California, USA produces 99% of the nectarines in the United States.

What are their health benefits?
B-carotene
Vitamin C
Lutein
Vitamins and Minerals
They are a rich source of fibre, especially when eaten with the peel and for this reason they are considered very active against constipation. They contribute to good bowel function when combined with other fruits such as prunes and of course with sufficient water consumption.

Period during which the First Fruit Stand markets the nectarine: May - September.