The nectarine, a truly delicious mutation of the peach, brings pure pleasure - as long as it is still nice and fresh, i.e. firm, bright and fragrant. It has been one of the most popular types of fruit for years. Unfortunately, however, it tends to spoil quickly. In order to consume nectarines in the bloom of their maturity, proper storage is crucial. We will explain to you how to best store the magnificent fruit.
Nectarines can also be stored at room temperature for a few days
Perishable fruit
Nectarines are one of those types of fruit that rot very quickly - especially if they are of particularly high quality. What sounds paradoxical at first glance is actually only logical: high-quality organic nectarines are untreated, so they come without preservatives. As a result, they go bad quickly, but taste all the better. If you want to enjoy the full aroma, you have to store your nectarines adequately and eat them in good time.
How to store nectarines
There are several ways to store your nectarines:
- at room temperature
- cool, dark and dry
- in the refrigerator
- in the freezer
Store nectarines at room temperature
If you leave the fruit in the kitchen (e.g. in the fruit bowl), it will only stay fresh for a few days. In this case, it is advisable to consume the nectarines quickly.
Store nectarines in a cool, dark and dry place
If you have a pantry, a basement compartment or an attic, it is best to store the fruit there in an air-permeable container (basket or bowl with holes). In such a cool, dark, and dry place, nectarines will often keep for a week or two.
Store nectarines in the refrigerator
You can expect a similar shelf life if you put the nectarines in the fruit and vegetable drawer of your fridge. However, the intense aroma can suffer here.
Freeze nectarines and store in the freezer
To keep nectarines for several months, simply freeze the fruit. You must first wash them thoroughly and dry them carefully, then remove the cores and cut them into pieces and finally fill them into freezer bags in portions and seal them airtight. The nectarine packages go into the freezer, where they stay fresh for at least four to six months.
General tips for storing nectarines
Always buy or harvest nectarines when they are fresh and intact. You can tell by a firm skin that won't yield to gentle pressure.
Be careful not to stack your nectarines tightly. They should not bump into each other (otherwise bruises will form which will quickly become moldy).
Even if cool storage extends the shelf life: eat the fruit soon - this is the only way to experience the aroma of the fruit in all its intensity.
The garden journal freshness ABC
How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?
The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:
- as a free PDF file to print out yourself