DESCRIPTION
Nectarines, scientifically known as Prunus persica var. nucipersica, are commonly known as stone fruits. It is a small tree which belongs to rose family Rosaceae and is a cultivated variety of peach. It bears fruits similar to peaches but is smooth and lacks hairy fuzzy feature of peaches. These days, Nectarine is cultivated in temperate regions worldwide for its flower and edible fruits. Since the white nectarine cultivars started in early 1990s in U.S., the cultivation and popularity increased
P. persica is inherent to China and have long history of cultivation which dates back to 10th century B.C. Nectarines appeared more recent origin and is not mentioned in botanical accounts till 1500s. The word nectarine refers hairless peach. The varieties which are cultivated as P. persica var. nucipersica produce only smooth nectarines. The trees of nectarine have similar appearance to peach trees having hairless, long, elliptic or oblong to lanceolate leaves 7 to 15 cm × 2 to 3.5 cm. Flowers are five petalled, pink which occurs singly or in 2 or 3 clusters occasionally. Fruit is a fleshy drupe with smooth skin and measures 5 to 7 cm diameter with stony and flattened pit
Nectarines are classified into two groups: clingstone and freestone. The variety freestone involves those fruits with pulp that separates effortlessly from seed and used for fresh consumption. Clingstone varieties are the fruit in which the flesh holds the pit tightly and is used for canning purposes. On the basis of cultivars, the flesh may have shades of deep yellow or creamy white of Nectarine fruit with white, red, pink or yellow skin
History
Though the history of Nectarine is unclear; the first recorded is mentioned in English from 1616. But probably they had been grown much earlier in Central and Eastern Asia which is the native range of Peach. One source declared that Nectarines were introduced in 1906 by David Fairchild of the Department of Agriculture to the United States. The number of colonial-era newspaper articles references that Nectarines being grown prior to the Revolutionary War in the United States
Plant
Nectarine is globose to subglobose drupe which is grow in small, deciduous and vigorous tree which reaches 3 to 7 meters high with spreading crown of 3 meters and dark brown scabrous bark. Petioles are longitudinally grooved having reniform nectaries and is 10 to 15 mm. Leaves are simple, alternate, oblong-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate measuring 7 to 15 × 2 to 3.5 cm with acuminate apex, cuneate base, finely serrate or serrulate margin and both surfaces are glabrous. Flowers are solitary and are 2 to 3.5 cm in diameter. Sepals are ovate to oblong with upper surface glabrous and lower surface pubescent. Petals are usually white or pink and are arranged alternately to sepals. Drupe is globose to subglobose, about 5 to 7 cm diameter and is glossy golden yellow with large blushes of red. Fruit have thin and smooth skin which encloses fleshy, juicy sweet to acid sweet mesocarp. The pit is ellipsoid to suborbicular and is compressed on both sides surrounding a single and ovate seed
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF NECTARINES
Nectarine benefits stem from the fruit’s richness in vitamins and minerals. They also are due to the content of phytochemicals, natural compounds in plant foods that enhance health and help prevent disease
The fruit is especially plentifulTrusted Source in vitamin C, niacin, copper, potassium, and fiber. It also contains lutein, zeaxanthin, and other phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it is low in calories and fat
The wellness benefits of nectarines include
promoting weight management
improving skin health
reducing blood pressure
boosting immunity
increasing longevity
helping prevent cancer
Keep reading to learn more about the health benefits of nectarines and their nutritional content
NECTARINE NUTRITION
What’s in a nectarine
Nectarines come in different sizes and colors. But an average-size fruit will weigh in at around 129 grams
Here’s what you can expect for nutrition in this serving size
| Principle | Nutrient Value/100g | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 55.5 | Kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 11.8 | g |
| Protein | 1.37 | g |
| Total Fat | 0.4 | g |
| Water | 115 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.94 | g |
| Principle | Nutrient Value/100g | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| vitamin A | 27.1 | microgram |
| vitamin C | 3.74 | mg |
| vitamin k | 2.5 | microgram |
| calcium | 2.5 | microgram |
| Phosphorus | 33.5 | mg |
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