Nectarines
Nectarines often steal the summer spotlight with their glossy skin, fragrant aroma, and firm, juicy bite. Though they resemble peaches stripped of their fuzz, nectarines have a personality all their own—brighter, slightly tangier, and sometimes kissed with a floral edge. But they’re not the only stone fruits worth celebrating this season. From close botanical relatives to clever hybrids, several other fruits mirror the nectarine in both appearance and taste. Some might pass for a nectarine at first glance; others deliver a flavor profile so similar, your taste buds could be fooled. Let’s take a closer look at the delicious fruits that walk and talk like nectarines—and discover what makes each one a juicy doppelgänger.
1. Peaches
Peaches are the closest relatives to nectarines—genetically nearly identical except for one major difference: peaches have a fuzzy, velvety skin, while nectarines are smooth. Both have golden-orange to reddish skin, a similar round shape, and juicy, fragrant flesh surrounding a central pit. In terms of taste, peaches are slightly sweeter and more floral, while nectarines lean firmer and tangier, but their similarities in structure and flavor make them nearly interchangeable.
2. Apricots
Apricots look like smaller, more compact nectarines with their smooth, velvety skin and warm golden-orange color. Though they’re typically only about two inches wide, they share the same round shape and central stone. Flavor-wise, apricots offer a concentrated, honeyed sweetness with a subtle tart edge—less juicy than nectarines but rich and aromatic, evoking a similar sensory experience in a bite-sized package.
3.Plumcot / Aprium / Pluot
These plum-apricot hybrids often resemble nectarines in their smooth, glossy skins and reddish or speckled hues. They range in size from small to medium, with a firm but juicy interior and a pit in the center, just like nectarines. Their taste is where they truly shine—pluots especially have a nectar-like sweetness and refreshing tartness that mirrors the juicy snap and flavor balance of a ripe nectarine, making them one of the most convincing lookalikes on the list.
4.Peacherines
Peacherines are natural or cultivated hybrids between peaches and nectarines, and physically, they sit right between the two—some have a slight fuzz, others are completely smooth, but all share the classic rounded stone fruit shape with sunset-colored skin. Their flesh is juicy and firm like a nectarine, with a flavor that combines the mellow sweetness of peaches and the sharper zing of nectarines. If you placed one in a bowl of nectarines, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference until you bite in.
5. Prunus mume (Japanese Apricot / Chinese Plum)
Prunus mume fruits are small and rounded, with smooth skin that can appear yellowish to pinkish-red—visually echoing an underripe nectarine or small apricot. They house a single pit and have firm flesh, but their taste is sharply sour and astringent unless ripened or processed. Despite their more intense flavor, their appearance and dense flesh give off clear nectarine-like vibes, especially when used in syrups, pickles, or preserves.
6. Velvet Apple (Mabolo)
The velvet apple resembles a larger nectarine in its size and rounded shape, but its soft, suede-like skin sets it apart—like a peach taken to the extreme. The skin can range from reddish-orange to deep rust, and the interior is creamy and sweet, though often with an earthy, musky note. While its flavor is less crisp than a nectarine’s, its juicy texture and striking physical resemblance (minus the fuzz) make it an interesting tropical counterpart.
7. Plums
Plums and nectarines share a lot: smooth skin, juicy flesh, and a range of skin tones from golden-yellow to deep purple. They’re generally smaller and more spherical, but their glossy surface and colorful exterior make them visual cousins. In taste, plums can vary widely—from super sweet to puckeringly tart—but when you bite into a firm, red-fleshed variety, you’ll notice that familiar burst of nectar-like juiciness that makes them a stone fruit sibling to nectarines.
8. Rainier Cherries
Though much smaller in size, Rainier cherries mimic nectarines in their golden-yellow skin blushed with red, and their smooth, shiny surface. Their flesh is firm, crisp, and remarkably sweet, echoing the refreshing bite of a ripe nectarine. While they don’t have the same internal structure or juiciness, they deliver a similar pop of flavor and brightness, especially when served chilled or paired with other stone fruits.
9. Fuyu Persimmons
Fuyu persimmons, with their smooth, glossy skin and warm orange hue, can easily resemble a nectarine at first glance—especially when firm and ripe. Their round, squat shape is a bit more tomato-like, but the vibrant color and polished surface create a visual connection to nectarines. When eaten fresh, Fuyus offer a crisp, sweet bite that’s subtly spiced and honeyed. Though less juicy and tangy than a nectarine, their firm texture and mellow sweetness make them a refreshing and gentle alternative, particularly when sliced into salads or eaten out of hand.