Nectarines in August: Out of Season
Still winter. Nectarines will return in late spring.
When Are Nectarines in Season in Australia?
In Australia (Southern Hemisphere), nectarine season runs from September through March, with the absolute peak in November, December, January and February. This is when local varieties are sweetest, most fragrant, and best value.
How to Pick the Sweetest Nectarines
Nectarines bruise easily and can look ripe while still being hard and flavourless. Use these checks at the market:
🍑 Smell it
A ripe nectarine smells intensely fruity near the stem. No smell = not ripe yet.
🍑 Gentle squeeze
Press near the stem — it should give slightly. Rock hard = underripe, mushy = overripe.
🍑 Deep colour
Look for deep yellow-orange skin with a red blush. Avoid green patches.
🍑 Heavy for size
A heavier nectarine has more juice and better flavour.
🍑 No soft spots
Soft spots or bruising mean it has been knocked and will go off quickly.
Nectarine vs Peach: What's the Difference?
Nectarines and peaches are almost identical fruit — nectarines simply have a smooth skin due to a single recessive gene. Nectarines tend to be slightly firmer, slightly sweeter, and their smooth skin makes them easier to eat. They are interchangeable in all recipes.
How to Store Nectarines
- Unripe nectarines: Leave at room temperature for 1–3 days to ripen. Do not refrigerate unripe nectarines — cold stops the ripening process.
- Ripe nectarines: Store in the fridge and eat within 3–5 days.
- Freezing: Slice, remove the stone, and freeze flat on a tray before transferring to a bag. Frozen nectarines are perfect for smoothies.
Nectarine Nutrition
One nectarine (142g) provides: 62 calories, 15g carbohydrates, 2.4g fibre, vitamins A and C, potassium and niacin. The skin contains the highest concentration of antioxidants — eat it unwashed right before eating.
Try These Nectarine Recipes
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