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Origin
Apricots and Peaches are believed to be native to China. Plums have been cultivated since ancient times and probably originated near the Caspian Sea.
Varieties
Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Nectarines and Cherry.
Growing Conditions Required
They are cultivated throughout warm temperate and subtropical regions of the world.
Handling Requirements
Ripe stonefruit should be stored in the fridge.
Irish Season
Stonefruit can only be grown in glasshouses in Ireland and are not grown on a commercial basis.
Eating Experience
Stonefruit are best eaten fresh. They are juicy fruit that are best eaten when they are very ripe and the fruit is soft. All stonefruit have a stone in the middle that is not edible.
The Healthy Option
Apricots are loaded with beta-carotene. They should be eaten fresh whenever possible by those suffering from any infection particularly in the respiratory system.
Interesting Fact
The smooth-skin characteristic that distinguishes nectarines is a minor genetic variation, like red hair among people; it is even possible that a peach tree may suddenly produce a branch that bears nectarines, and vice versa.
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