It’s finally here! Late summer and early fall signal tasty stone fruit season in California with the three Ps leading the charge. During this time of the year, peaches, plums, and pluots ripen into sweet morsels that are ideal for recipes or a quick snack. If you’re tired of tasteless, out-of-season, out-of-state fruit, grab for one of these delicious stone fruits grown right here in the Golden State.
Peaches
Although Georgia is known as the Peach State, California actually produces more peaches than any other state, totaling 56% of the fresh crop. As a result, a tasty, fuzzy, orange taste sensation is only a short trip away during late summer and early fall.
In addition to their taste, peaches also pack a powerful nutritional punch. Some of the nutrients you get out of a single serving of peaches include:
- Under 70 calories per serving
- 3 grams of fiber
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin C
Studies have also shown that peaches may reduce the chance of cancer, improve skin health and radiance, and boost hemoglobin production.
Serving Tip: While peaches are delicious as a fresh snack, they’re also excellent in a variety of salads and entrees. Try chicken with a peach and balsamic glaze for a protein-packed, savory, and sweet lunch or dinner.
Plums
With ideal growing conditions including a Mediterranean climate and soil with great drainage, California produces 95% of the nation’s plums. With a majority of production in the San Joaquin Valley, plums have a distinct sweetness mixed with a delightful texture.
Plums also provide plenty of nutrients to promote a healthy lifestyle. These delectable purple orbs are not only fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free, but they also provide:
- Just 30 calories per serving
- 0.9 grams of fiber
- 0.5 grams of protein
- Vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, copper, and manganese
Serving Tip: Like peaches, plums are tasty on their own. But they also add some natural sweetness to other foods. If you have a food processor, remove the pit from plums, add a bit of juice of your choosing, and you can whip up an amazing plum puree. Drizzle over waffles, cereal, or frozen yogurt for an appetizing breakfast or dessert.
Pluots
Made by cross-breeding plums and apricots, pluots are one of California’s best kept secrets. Unlike plums, pluots rarely have any bitterness, and also aren’t as dry as some apricot varieties. Plus, they have great appeal if you’re trying to get your children to eat fruit—specifically the dinosaur egg pluot, which gets its name from its spotted and round appearance.
Pluots are also a borderline superfood, providing a bevy of health benefits backed by an indescribable sweetness. Some of these nutritional benefits include:
- Vitamin C and vitamin K
- Potassium
- 40 calories per serving
- 19 carbs per serving
Serving Tip: On a warm summer day, nothing beats a refreshing, tasty, and healthy popsicle. To make a pluot popsicle, combine eight chopped pluots, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a ½ cup of lemon juice in a food processor. Process until smooth. Fill a mold of your choosing with this concoction and then freeze for four to six hours. You won’t find a better summer treat.
With all of the health benefits and mouth-watering tastes that plums, peaches, and pluots provide, you can indulge your inner glutton. Just make sure to spread the love to your family and friends. They’re sure to appreciate the gesture and the gift of flavorful California stone fruit.
Our entire team at DLJ Produce wishes you excellent health and safety as we all navigate through this pandemic. Together, we will come out on the other side healthy and happy. We like to take a moment and thank our entire staff, farmers, packers, truckers for continuing to uphold our commitment to our customers nationwide. DLJ Produce is home to the finest freshest produce 365 days a year coast to coast.
View our commodity calendar and contact us to discuss or get answers to all your produce questions. We love talking to our customers and are always eager to ass
