Harvest Time Orchards

General Peach Information

Peaches and nectarines are related members of the same fruit family. One probably originated as a mutation of the other, but we do not know which came first. The peach and nectarine species originated in China and was taken by traders from there into Persia, Greece, Italy, and other temperate areas of Europe. Peach and nectarine varieties may have yellow or white flesh. The different varieties ripen over a wide range of dates and differ in fruit size, susceptibility to some diseases and susceptibility to low winter temperatures, chilling requirements, and fruit disorders such as fruit cracking and split-pit.

Peaches have a short shelf life, so a number of varieties ripen one after the other maintaining a steady supply of fruit during the summer months. Most peach varieties look generally alike, so no single variety is considered the favorite.

There are probably more than 4,000 peach and nectarine varieties, and new peach and nectarine varieties are constantly being introduced. Depending on the year, harvest dates of any given variety can vary. Very warm weather usually shortens the season and may cause varieties to ripen at the same time. Early bloom, combined with cool summer temperatures, may spread harvest dates over a longer period.

Peach Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 2 medium peaches (174 g), about 1 cup)

Calories	70
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	0g	0%
Saturated Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0g	0%
Sodium	0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate	19g	6%
Dietary Fiber	1g	4%
Sugars	16g
Protein	1g
Vitamin A		20%
Vitamin C		20%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

A Sample of Peach Varieties

Redhaven - A hybrid of Halehaven and Kalhaven, Redhaven was introduced in 1940 by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. This is semi-freestone peach and about 70% of the fruit surface is red over a yellow background. The fruit is attractive and quite pubescent. Fruit size is moderate and average fruit diameter is about 2.5 to 2.7 inches. The flesh is yellow and moderately firm and flavor is good.

Cresthaven - A hybrid of Kalhaven, SH50, and Redhaven, Cresthaven was introduced by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station in 1963. This is an attractive yellow-fleshed, freestone peach. The average diameter is 2.6 to 2.8 inches. The flesh is firm and dark yellow and flavor is very good. Sometimes the flesh is a little soft at one end and some fruit will crack when there is a light crop.

Flamin' Fury (several different variations) - This yellow peach is freestone, and can be medium sized to very large. The fruit is 60 to 70% red and essentially all fruit are over 2.5 inches in diameter. This is our favorite peach variety!

A Sample of Nectarine Varieties

Sunglo - This is a very attractive freestone nectarine with good size (2.5 to 2.75 inches in diameter). Seventy five to 90% of the surface is colored bright red over yellow background. The flesh is fairly firm and somewhat dry and flavor is fairly good.

Redgold - A hybrid of Hal-Berta Giant and Sunrise, introduced in 1956 by Charles Thomason, Bangor, AL, and Stark Brothers' Nurseries, Louisiana, MO. Average diameter of this nectarine is about 3.0 inches. The fairly attractive fruit has about 50 to 70% of the surface covered red over yellow background. The dark yellow flesh is fairly firm and the flavor is very good to excellent.

Fantasia - A hybrid of Gold King and Red King, Fantasia was introduced by The USDA, Fresno, CA, in 1969. This fairly attractive nectarine is oblong and large (2.5 to 2.75 inches in diameter). Sixty to 80% of the surface is colored red over yellow background. The firm yellow flesh has good to excellent flavor. The fruit usually has a poor finish with russetting.