While watermelon is frequently associated with scorching summer days, peaches and nectarines will begin to appear in midsummer, followed by cherries and apricots in the spring. What do these fruits all have in common? They're called stone fruits.
Stone fruits acquire their name from the pit or "stone" in their middle, which is surrounded by flesh. Stone fruits, also known as drupes, have thin skins that can be fuzzy or smooth. The pit is actually a huge seed, and stone fruits are classified as clingstone or freestone based on how easily the flesh separates from the seed. Because most stone fruits do not ripen after being plucked, they are chosen at their prime and are only available for a limited period. As a result, they are highly seasonal, with different stone fruits arriving at different times of the year.
When picking stone fruit, don't be afraid of a few bruises because they signal a mature, flavorful fruit that may be better than a hard, flawless one. If you want to assess the ripeness of a stone fruit without squeezing (and bruising) it, its perfume is a fantastic indicator—the more aromatic, the better. Stone fruits have a wide flavour profile, and some may surprise you.
Common Varieties Of Stone Fruits
• Peaches
• Plums
• Cherries
• Nectarines
• Apricots
• Mangoes
• Lychees
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Mulberries
• Olives
• Coconuts
• Dates
• Hybrids such as Apriums, Plumcots and Pluots
Benefits Of Stone Fruits
1. Improves Immunity
Stone fruits are high in antioxidants like vitamin C, which can help you maintain a strong immune system and minimise the severity and length of summer colds. This wonder vitamin increases the development of white blood cells, which fight illnesses and aid to prevent virus invasion.
2. Stone Fruits Can Aid In The Production Of Collagen
Vitamin C is also important in the creation of collagen, which keeps your skin healthy, strong, and smooth. A cup of sliced plums or apricots provides about a fourth of your daily vitamin C requirements. Hello, bouncy, young-looking skin!
3. Encourage The Wellness Of Your Neurons And Muscles
Potassium is necessary for the proper functioning of your neurons and muscles; a deficit can induce weariness, irritation, and a rise in blood pressure. Bananas are the most popular potassium-rich food, although stone fruits are also excellent sources. A medium banana has the same amount of potassium as two tiny peaches.
4. Fight Against Diabetes And Fat
Recent research has discovered that nectarines, plums, and peaches contain a unique blend of substances that may aid in the fight against metabolic syndrome, a condition in which obesity and inflammation lead to major health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
5. Improve Your Vision
Apricots, peaches, and nectarines get their brilliant orange colour from a high concentration of carotenoids, a type of antioxidant that can help enhance your eyesight, skin membranes, and immune system. These miraculous pigments become even more available to the body when the fruit is cooked, so for a healthy treat, consider poached peaches or baked apricots.
6. Encourage Proper Digestion
Stone fruits are high in fibre, which helps your body digest meals more efficiently and smoothly, keeping you fuller for longer. Fibre has also been demonstrated to help with diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight loss.
7. Make Your Bones And Teeth Stronger
Vitamin K is sometimes forgotten, yet it is essential for keeping strong bones and teeth, lowering your risk of tooth decay and illnesses such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Plums are the best source of vitamin K; two of these luscious purple fruits provide around one-tenth of your daily requirement.
