2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Nectarine (Latin Prunus persica) - one of the varieties of peach, which has a smooth skin.
History
The word "nectarine", according to the English-language editions, was already known in 1616. Nevertheless, nectarines gained popularity only towards the end of the 20th century, when large-fruited varieties began to go on sale (the weight of one fruit could easily reach 200 g or more) with aromatic and juicy yellow pulp.
It is believed that nectarines appeared as a result of a classic mutation, namely, as a result of self-pollination of some peach trees and periodic failures in the development of the kidneys. And when people learned to graft trees, this funny mutation turned into a very successful variation.
Description
The fruit of the nectarines is endowed with the same smooth skin as the plum. In fact, these are peaches that are not pubescent. By the way, the most delicious and beautiful fruits are usually located closer to the soil surface or to the trunks.
Where grows
The main producers of these fruits are currently the Mediterranean countries: Tunisia, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and the former Yugoslavia. And China is considered the birthplace of nectarines.
Application
Nectarines are eaten fresh or used to make canned compotes, sweet jams and a wide variety of desserts.
These juicy fruits are very rich in vitamins C and A - this property makes nectarines indispensable helpers for the skin, because they help to retain life-giving moisture in its cells, preventing it from sagging and from wrinkles. Regular consumption of nectarines helps to increase the secretion of the digestive glands, greatly facilitating the process of digesting fatty and poorly digestible foods. And in general, these wonderful fruits have a pronounced therapeutic and prophylactic effect - they quite quickly normalize metabolism and are even able to prevent the development of oncology.
The pectin compounds contained in these fruits significantly inhibit the activity of various harmful microorganisms. And a quarter of a glass of freshly squeezed nectarine juice, drunk a quarter of an hour before meals, perfectly helps with constipation, increased stomach acidity, heart rhythm disorders and anemia.
The systematic use of nectarines is considered an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis and hypertension, because these fruits help to remove fluid and sodium from the body.
Nectarines were also used in pharmacology - excellent healing ointments and life-saving medicines are made from bitter varieties of oil.
The shell of nectarines is also used - it is widely used to obtain activated carbon. And nice souvenirs are made of superbly polished wood. Thus, nectarine can be safely considered a universal culture in use.
Harm
If nectarines are consumed immoderately, the rise in blood sugar levels and the inevitable increase in body weight will not take long. And since these fruits contain allergens, they are categorically contraindicated for allergy sufferers and diabetics.
Do not give too many nectarines to children under the age of seven. Canned peeled fruits are considered much safer, since the protein contained in the peel of nectarines can cause allergic reactions.
And the seeds of nectarines contain hydrocyanic acid, which is a rather strong poison.
Growing
Compared to regular peach, nectarine is much more resistant to various pests. And not so long ago, winter-hardy varieties of nectarines were bred, which are successfully cultivated not only in the North Caucasus, but also in the Volgograd region.
Gardeners are very fond of nectarines because the fruits of early varieties can be harvested much earlier than all other stone fruit crops.
