In Stemilt’s Washington state orchards, when the peaches, nectarines, and other summer fruits are ripe you know it’s the peak of summer! The sweet, succulent, bursting-with-juice flavor of Stemilt summer fruits is the quintessential summer indulgence. And stone fruits from Stemilt are tastier than most because our growers farm them naturally, avoiding all synthetic products in the growing process. They produce their peaches, nectarines, apricots and pluots with organic farming products to only bring you the very best nature has to offer!
Peaches
Though biting into a perfectly ripe, cheerfully bright, fuzzy yellow-orange peach may feel sinful, fresh peaches are truly a guiltless delight. A large peach, about 2 ¾ inch in diameter, has only about 60 calories. For such a small calorie investment, peaches provide vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and fiber. Peaches, like many fresh fruits, also contain phytochemicals – those natural bioactive compounds that can have positive health effects.
Nectarines
Nectarines and peaches are very similar nutritionally, although their flavors vary ever so slightly. Nectarines are smooth-skinned, while most peach varieties have fuzzier skins. Both peaches and nectarines (and apricots, too) fall into the yellow-orange family of fruits and vegetables, which means they contain phytochemicals. Eating yellow-orange fruits can lower the risk of some cancers, help maintain a healthy heart, assist with vision health and contribute to a healthy immune system.
Apricots
Apricots have a delectably dense flesh and an intoxicating flavor. The intense orange color of apricots is not only beautiful, but it also indicates the presence of beta-carotene and lycopene, two of the many health-enhancing phytochemicals present in fresh apricots. A serving of three apricots provides vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and small amounts of iron, magnesium and calcium. Three apricots contain a mere 60 calories, and like most fresh fruits, they contain no sodium or cholesterol.
Pluots
Pluots are a cross between apricots and plums, and they share the best characteristics of each.
Apricots provide vitamin A, C and potassium, while plums contain vitamin A, potassium and several phytochemicals including beta-carotene and lutein. A single plum contains about 60 calories, about the same as three apricots.