Discover When Nectarines Are in Peak Season and Where They Grow

A Picture of Nectar: When Are Nectarines in Season? Where Do the Tastiest Nectarines Grow?

Nectarine comes from the word “nectar,” of course. But “nectar” probably comes from a Greek-Sanskrit word combo that means to overcome death! That’s not surprising: Chinese myth says that certain peaches would help you live forever. That’s not nectarines in season; that’s a nectarine for all seasons.

But aren’t nectarines different from peaches? Sort of. And that’s an excellent place to start.

Nectarines vs. Peaches – What Are the Differences?

Nectarines are offspring of the peach. They are peaches with a clever gene that subtracts the fuzz.

Nectarines, like peaches, are part of the Rosaceae family of plants. They are related to apples, strawberries, almonds, cherries, and pears (and something called a cloudberry and something else called bride’s feathers). The pit in the middle is poetically called a “stone,” making the nectarine a “stone fruit” or “drupe.”

There are a variety of cross-bred fruits, but nectarines aren’t one of them. They aren’t a cross between a plum and a peach. Nectarines appear to be a distinct sub-category of peaches.

Unlike peaches, nectarines do not have fuzzy skin. The reason for this shorn surface is as simple but also as mysterious as a simple gene variation. At some point, probably at the end of the Middle Ages, after the nectarine had been taken to Europe, certain smooth-skinned peaches started growing. That’s the first recorded instance of a “nectarine,” at least. The origins aren’t entirely clear as ancient literature from China, Persia and the East don’t specify between peach and nectarine.

Nectarines are peaches with a recessive gene that subtracts the fuzz.

When Are Nectarines in Season? Summertime

Like many stone fruit varieties, nectarines come to fruition (if you will) in the summer. They are summer fruits. But, there are heartier varieties of the nectarine that are harvested early or late in the season as well.

Nectarines get prime-time billing in warmer months: June through August. Their agricultural window, however, is open a bit longer. Nectarines can grow in their best climate (sub-tropical and temperate) from April to October. But that’s only in the top half of earth.

Factors Influencing Nectarine Season and Benefits of Eating Nectarines in Season

The southern hemisphere is summering during the winter months in the northern hemisphere. As such, grocery stores above the equator will stock these far-traveling southern nectarines if local ones aren’t available. Chile produces and exports a specific type of nectarines. When are nectarines in season in Chile? In Chile, they’re in season from late fall until March.

Many Places Around the World Can Grow Nectarines

Nectarines grow around the world in a variety of places. And the climate and growing environment are important. China, a geographically huge country, produces about twelve times as many nectarines and peaches as the runner-up (Spain).

Annual World Peach and Nectarine Production by Country

• China: 14.47 million tons
• Spain: 1.53 million tons
• Italy: 1.43 million tons
• U.S.A.: 0.93 million tons
• Iran: 0.86 million tons

The nectarine variety or cultivar is a significant factor in determining where it will grow best.

‘Merican Nectarines

In the U.S., estimates are that three-fourths to over 90% of nectarines come from another large territory: California. The climate is warm but usually not too warm. There is manageable humidity and a good amount of rain, but not too much.

Nectarines are ideal in USDA growing zones 5 up to 10. The rough-and-ready varieties can grow in zone 4.

Varieties of Nectarines

Both peaches and nectarines have “clingstone” and “freestone” varieties. Clingstones have flesh that, indeed, clings tightly to the pit. Freestones pull away from it much more quickly.

Every fruit-lover has encountered the following: while nibbling through a peach or nectarine, the flesh will cling stubbornly to the pit. And the options are to gnaw away at this granite-hard, plant-flavored rock or let the pit win this battle. That clingy type of nectarine is called a clingstone. The varieties that gracefully surrender the pit inside are called freestones.

That tasty “membrane” or flesh of the fruit? Well, the two big varieties are white nectarines and yellow nectarines.

Digging in the Dirt: What Conditions Make for Good Nectarine Growth

Soil in a warm-to-temperate climate–with a 6.0 to 7.0 pH is the best for growing nectarines.

Besides a temperate-hot climate with the Goldilocks weather, nectarines also need just the right amount of water. Nectarines in season grow best in “well-drained soils” and require protection from overwatering, which can damage the roots.

A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0–again, smack dab in the middle–is the best.

Signs of Ripe Nectarines in Season

Now, to probably the most exciting part: eating nectarines. The various foodie terms for nectarines tend to be “acidic,” “tart,” and, of course, “sweet.”

Peaches and nectarines are similar in size but not identical. The nectarine is a bit smaller.

Though they come in both yellow and white options, the yellow or white refers more to the inner flesh, not so much the skin. But the white nectarines will have a paler background, and the yellow nectarines will, of course, have a yellower background. The background here being behind the reddish “blush” of the peach.

Color for Nectarines in Season

The white and yellow variety of nectarines are similar to that of peaches. The white and yellow is more in the background of the “blush” and in the flesh under the skin.

Interestingly, a redder nectarine isn’t necessarily riper. Both varieties can have only a little red blush and still be fully ripe. The perception that red = ripe is so popular that some growers have even tried hybrid strains of nectarines for a deeper red blush!

If you want to go by sight, looking for the little white dots means the specimen is quite ripe. Those spots are actually groups of microscopic sugar crystals forming. Also, look for a gold background on yellow nectarines and a faded yellow on white nectarines in season.

Stem End and Color

Yet another clue: nectarines that properly ripen on the tree will have a distinct yellowish or lighter spot by the stem end.

The reason for this blond patch is that peaches and nectarines don’t quite dangle the way apples do. Pictures of nectarines still on the tree show these fruits cling close and tight to the branch. So, not much sunlight gets in there at the top by the stem.

Any green is a giveaway that it was picked too early.

Hard vs. Soft

All the information about firmness in nectarines says the same thing: slightly firm. The ideal is a top quarter-inch-ish of softness that leaves a mark if pressed.

If the grocery store, farmers market, or wholesaler wares are a little too taut, nectarines can still be ripened (a little) at home. Keeping hard nectarines in a paper bag at room temperature or out of the sun for a day or two will plump and soften them a bit. They’re best stored at room temperature until eaten, but a plastic bag in the fridge gives them about five days.

Nature’s Tidier Candy

If peaches are nature’s candy, nectarines are indeed an eco-friendly option as they have less packaging without the fuzz. Dig in!