Nectarine vs. Peach — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 14, 2024
Nectarines and peaches are similar fruits from the same species, Prunus persica, but nectarines have smooth skin while peaches are fuzzy.
Difference Between Nectarine and Peach
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Key Differences
Nectarines are often mistaken for peaches due to their similar size, color, and internal structure. Whereas peaches have a distinctive fuzz on their skin that can be felt immediately upon touch.
The skin of a nectarine is smooth and shiny, making it more palatable for those who dislike the fuzz on peaches. On the other hand, the fuzzy skin of peaches can be removed by blanching or can be eaten as is, which some believe adds to the fruit's flavor profile.
In terms of flavor, nectarines tend to be firmer and slightly more aromatic when ripe compared to peaches, which are usually softer with a classic sweet and juicy taste. This makes nectarines slightly more versatile for certain recipes like salads and salsas, whereas peaches are often preferred for pies and jams due to their juiciness.
Both fruits can be found in freestone and clingstone varieties, meaning the flesh either clings to the pit or comes away easily. Nectarines, however, generally have a slightly smaller pit than peaches, making them marginally easier to prepare and eat.
Despite these differences, nectarines and peaches share many nutritional benefits, including being rich in vitamins A and C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. They are both low in calories and can be used interchangeably in many dishes depending on personal texture and flavor preferences.
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Comparison Chart
Skin Texture
Smooth
Fuzzy
Flavor
Slightly firmer and more aromatic
Softer and classically sweet
Cooking Suitability
Better for crisp textures in salads, salsas
Preferred for soft textures in pies, jams
Pit Size
Smaller
Larger
Nutritional Value
High in vitamins A and C, fiber, antioxidants
High in vitamins A and C, fiber, antioxidants
Compare with Definitions
Nectarine
A sweet fruit used in various culinary dishes.
Grilled nectarines make a delicious summer dessert.
Peach
A soft fruit with a fuzzy skin and sweet taste.
He bit into a peach, its juice dribbling down his chin.
Nectarine
A variety of peach with smooth skin and firm flesh.
The nectarine, with its lack of fuzz, is perfect for eating fresh.
Peach
Available in yellow and white varieties, known for their aroma.
White peaches are less acidic and slightly sweeter than yellow ones.
Nectarine
Typically redder and smaller than most peaches.
The nectarines at the market were especially ripe and juicy today.
Peach
Commonly used in desserts like pies and cobblers.
Peach cobbler is her specialty, loved at every family gathering.
Nectarine
A peach of a variety with smooth red and yellow skin and rich, firm flesh.
Peach
Can be eaten fresh, canned, or made into preserves.
Canned peaches are convenient for off-season cravings.
Nectarine
A variety of peach tree having small aromatic fruit with smooth reddish skin.
Peach
The peach (Prunus persica) is a deciduous tree native to the region of Northwest China between the Tarim Basin and the north slopes of the Kunlun Mountains, where it was first domesticated and cultivated. It bears edible juicy fruits with various characteristics, most called peaches and others (the glossy-skinned varieties), nectarines.
Nectarine
The soft juicy fruit of this tree.
Peach
A small Chinese tree (Prunus persica) in the rose family, widely cultivated throughout temperate regions, having pink flowers and edible fruit.
Nectarine
A cultivar of the peach distinguished by its skin being smooth, not fuzzy.
Peach
The soft juicy fruit of this tree, having yellow or white flesh, downy reddish-yellow skin, and a deeply ridged stone containing a single seed.
Nectarine
(obsolete) A nectar-like liquid medicine.
Peach
A light moderate to strong yellowish pink to light orange.
Nectarine
Nectarous; like nectar.
Peach
(Informal) A particularly admirable or pleasing person or thing.
Nectarine
Nectareous.
Peach
To inform on someone; turn informer
"Middle-level bureaucrats cravenly peach on their bosses [when] one of them does something the tiniest bit illegal" (National Observer).
Nectarine
A smooth-skinned variety of peach.
Peach
To inform against
"He has peached me and all the others, to save his life" (Daniel Defoe).
Nectarine
Variety or mutation of the peach bearing smooth-skinned fruit with usually yellow flesh
Peach
A tree (Prunus persica), native to China and now widely cultivated throughout temperate regions, having pink flowers and edible fruit.
Nectarine
Smooth-skinned variety or mutation of the peach
Peach
The soft juicy stone fruit of the peach tree, having yellow flesh, downy, red-tinted yellow skin, and a deeply sculptured pit or stone containing a single seed.
Nectarine
Stone fruit similar to peach but without the fuzz.
She added sliced nectarines to the fruit salad for a colorful touch.
Peach
(color) A light moderate to strong yellowish pink to light orange color.
Nectarine
Available in both clingstone and freestone varieties.
I prefer freestone nectarines for easier preparation.
Peach
(informal) A particularly admirable or pleasing person or thing.
Peach
(often in plural) buttock or bottom
Peach
Of or pertaining to the color peach.
Peach
Particularly pleasing or agreeable.
Peach
To inform on someone; turn informer.
Peach
To inform against.
Peach
To accuse of crime; to inform against.
Peach
To turn informer; to betray one's accomplice.
If I be ta'en, I'll peach for this.
Peach
A well-known high-flavored juicy fruit, containing one or two seeds in a hard almond-like endocarp or stone. In the wild stock the fruit is hard and inedible.
Peach
The tree (Prunus Persica syn. Amygdalus Persica) which bears the peach fruit.
Peach
The pale red color of the peach blossom, or the light pinkish yellow of the peach fruit.
Peach
Cultivated in temperate regions
Peach
A very attractive or seductive looking woman
Peach
Downy juicy fruit with sweet yellowish or whitish flesh
Peach
A shade of pink tinged with yellow
Peach
Divulge confidential information or secrets;
Be careful--his secretary talks
Peach
Also available in both clingstone and freestone forms.
Freestone peaches are easier to slice for recipes.
Common Curiosities
an you eat the skin of both nectarines and peaches?
Yes, both nectarine and peach skins are edible, though peaches have a fuzz that some may prefer to remove.
Can nectarines and peaches be used interchangeably in recipes?
Yes, they can often be used interchangeably, though the texture and slight flavor differences should be considered.
Are nectarines genetically modified peaches?
No, nectarines are not genetically modified; they naturally occur due to a genetic mutation in peaches.
Which is sweeter, a nectarine or a peach?
Sweetness can vary, but generally, peaches are perceived as sweeter due to their softer, juicier texture.
Are there any significant nutritional differences between nectarines and peaches?
Nutritionally, they are very similar, though the nutrient uptake can vary slightly based on the skin consumption.
Which fruit is better for baking?
Peaches are often preferred for baking due to their moisture content, which adds to the dish's texture.
What are some common dishes that include nectarines?
Common dishes include nectarine tarts, salads, and grilled nectarine dishes.
What type of peach is best for making jam?
Freestone peaches are typically better for jam-making as the flesh separates easily from the pit.
What are the peak seasons for nectarines and peaches?
Both fruits are typically in season during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Can the pits of peaches and nectarines be planted to grow fruit?
Yes, you can plant the pits, but the resulting fruit might not be identical to the parent due to grafting practices in cultivation.
How do you remove the fuzz from a peach?
The fuzz can be removed by gently rubbing the skin with a towel or washing it under water.
Can you grill nectarines like peaches?
Yes, nectarines can be grilled and often retain a firmer texture compared to peaches.
Do nectarines ripen after being picked?
Yes, like peaches, nectarines can continue to ripen after picking.
What is the best way to store peaches and nectarines?
Both should be stored at room temperature until ripe and then can be refrigerated to slow further ripening.
Is there a flavor difference between yellow and white varieties of these fruits?
Yes, white varieties are generally sweeter and less acidic, applicable to both nectarines and peaches.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
