In the summer months, when we’re trying to keep cool, we often find ourselves craving fresh fruits. Among the most popular are peaches and nectarine. These fruits provide plenty of vitamins and antioxidants, which are good for our bodies. And, they taste great, too! Fortunately, they’re easy to grow in most regions of the country. You’ll need to take care of them, though, so they don’t spoil before they’re ready.
Nutritional content
There are many nutritious benefits to eating peaches and nectarines. These delicious fruit varieties provide a healthy dose of antioxidants, vitamin C, iron and potassium. They are also high in fiber, which may lower your risk of colorectal cancer. And both fruits are relatively low in saturated fat.
Vitamin C helps boost immunity. It also protects cells from damage. In addition, it neutralizes free radicals. Several studies have shown that dietary antioxidants are associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and multiple cancers.
Peaches have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat digestive problems. Nectarines are thought to reduce the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. However, there are few human studies to explore the dietary impact of these fruits on these conditions.
The average lipid content of studied peach varieties ranged from 0.67 g/100 fw to 2.58 g/100 fw. The highest lipid content was found in the “Laskava” variety.
Both fruits have relatively low sugar content. The maximum sugars found in the peach varieties was 100-110 g per kg. This is because the fruit is sweetened by sucrose, not glucose.
Both fruits contain small amounts of calcium. A large amount of magnesium is also present in both fruits. Potassium plays a key role in the production of amino acids. Some varieties of peaches, such as “Ufo 4” and “Gergana”, have dietary fiber content that exceeds the recommended level of 3 g/100 g fw.
Both fruits are rich in potassium, which promotes heart health. Potassium also acts as a cofactor for the proper digestion of certain nutrients.
Nectarines are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. Antioxidants are chemicals that can help prevent vascular inflammation related to atherosclerosis. These antioxidants also improve blood pressure and circulation. Polyphenols have been linked to a decreased risk of breast cancer.
Peaches and nectarines are both excellent choices for summertime snacks. Their smooth skin and tangy smell make them an attractive option for refreshing desserts. Just make sure you cut them into halves. Don’t forget to add a little cinnamon and brown sugar to top off the dish.
Phytochemicals
The fruit and vegetable industry has a lot to offer in terms of health-promoting phytochemicals. The consumption of these fruits and vegetables has been linked to a lower risk of several diseases. Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants, phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Some of these compounds have been associated with cancer prevention and a reduced risk of age-related diseases. A recent meta-analysis studied the health benefits of fruit and vegetable intake. It showed that fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with a decreased risk of mortality from esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, and multiple cancers.
Peaches and nectarines are both rich in phytochemicals. They also have high levels of vitamins and minerals. Nectarines are particularly high in vitamin C. These nutrients have important roles in immune function, DNA protection, and cell growth. Phytochemicals are also known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Several studies have investigated the antioxidant capacity of plums. In this study, 45 plum genotypes were evaluated. Antioxidant capacity was determined based on anthocyanins, total phenolics, and flavonoids. As shown in Table 2, the total phenolics content correlated positively with the antioxidant activity of the plum. However, the relationship between total phenolics and vitamin C was not significant.
Among the phenolic compounds identified in peaches and nectarines, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, and neochlorogenic acid were found to be relatively abundant. Heat treatment caused the loss of a number of these compounds.
Despite the abundance of these antioxidants in peaches, there is limited information on their composition. There is a large number of cultivars available on the market, making it difficult to establish a solid understanding of their chemistry. Plant breeders are aiming to produce genotypes with greater antioxidant activity.
The genetic background of a fruit can have a profound impact on its antioxidant activity. For instance, red-flesh plums have a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than light-colored ones. This may be due to their chemical structure.
Peaches are a common fruit consumed around the world. Their nutrient value and antioxidant properties have been heavily promoted.
Pruning
Pruning peaches and nectarine trees helps them to stay healthy and fruitful. This process enables the tree to put its full energy into producing the best fruit.
Pruning should be done early in the season, before new buds start to appear. It should also be performed at least one month before the first frost of the year.
Peaches and nectarines should be pruned each year to maintain new growth. When a tree is young, it should produce 18 to 24 inches of new growth per year.
If pruning is neglected, a peach or nectarine tree may produce a large crop with very small fruit. The fruit may be unproductive and may not ripen properly. In addition, there is a risk of diseases and pests. These include aphids, scale insects, wasps, and red spider mites.
Nectarine trees should be pruned to allow the fruiting wood to receive ample sunlight and air. This keeps the tree from producing diseased and insect-infected fruit.
Peach and nectarine trees can be grown in pots. They are also excellent for growing in small gardens. Most compact varieties grow to around 1 metre tall.
Before pruning a nectarine tree, it is important to determine its growth habit. If the stems are vigorous upright shoots, it is a good idea to cut them down.
Nectarine trees should also be fertilized with slow-release organic fruit tree fertilizer in the spring. Throughout the growing season, they require regular watering.
Peaches and nectarine trees should be harvested when the fruit is almost soft and ready to pick. This is when the skin changes from green to yellow and the flesh begins to give.
After the fruits have been picked, they can be dried, canned, or frozen. The best ripe fruit is deep yellow and creamy white in color. A nectarine’s flavor is best when allowed to mature on the tree.
To protect the buds from weather, cover the tree with plastic. Plastic covers also help prevent the leaves from curling.
In addition, the use of compost for mulch helps the soil to retain moisture and improves its conditions. During the first year of growth, peach trees should be watered weekly.
Preserving
If you’re looking for a quick and easy food preservation project for the winter months, try preserving peaches and nectarines. The fuzzless nature of these fruits makes them a great choice. They’re also easy to can, but they do require a few steps.
You should first wash your peaches. This is important to remove any dirt and grime. Once you have cleaned them, you can slice them into quarters or halves. For the best flavor, you’ll want to make sure they’re ripe.
You’ll need a canner and jars. Your canner should be either a boiling water canner or a pressure canner. Both canners should be a minimum of 1 inch of water in the bottom.
Next, cut the peaches in half. Use a sharp knife to cut them. Be careful not to cut the pit or rind. It’s a good idea to slice the peaches on a flat surface. A rubber spatula is also useful for removing trapped air bubbles.
Once you’ve cleaned the peaches, you’ll need to dry them. After drying, you can add them to a solution of water and sugar. Add a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.
Now you’re ready to pack your peaches. Make sure you use a lid. Loose packing may cause moisture imbalances. Pack the peaches in sanitized jars. Do not leave them for more than a day. Let the jars cool completely before refrigerating.
As soon as your jars are cooled, you can store them in a dark location. Home canned peaches are good for 12-18 months. If you plan to freeze them, the jars can be stored in the freezer until they’re frozen.
Nectarine can be made into jam or can be used as a fruit butter. They’re similar to peaches, but they have a firmer flesh.
Some types of peaches and nectarines have higher acid than others. These varieties can’t be canned in a low-acid pressure canner. White-fleshed varieties are lower in acid than traditional yellow-fleshed ones.
To ensure your canner doesn’t overheat, don’t leave it boiling for longer than 30 minutes. Also, don’t add acid to the boiling water.