Stone fruit grow on trees. They have one hard shell that surrounds a single large seed in their centre. This ‘stone’ is also called a ‘pit’. Stone fruit are also known as ‘pit fruit’, and ‘summer fruit’ because they are in season in summer.
Common stone fruit include:
peaches
nectarines
apricots
plums
cherries.
Common stone fruit characteristics include:
Round, defined cleft, heart-shaped.
Skin ranging from yellow, orange, tinges of red, to deep red, purple.
Flesh ranging from white, yellow, orange, to deep red.
Skin ranging from smooth to fuzzy; flesh firm but not hard.
Sweet, juicy, ranging from tart to low acid, rich to delicate, and fragrant.
Fresh, and cooked by poaching, grilling, roasting, and baking. Savoury and sweet dishes such as tarts, puddings, jam, chutney, and sauce.