Stone fruit is one of the highlights of summer, offering vibrant colours, incredible flavour, and endless ways to enjoy it. From juicy peaches and nectarines to sweet cherries, plums, apricots, and pluots, each variety brings its own unique taste and texture.
Whether you’re planning to snack, bake, grill, or add fresh fruit to salads and desserts, our Stone Fruit Guide will help you discover the flavour profile, best uses, nutritional benefits, and storage tips for each fruit so you can enjoy every bite at its best.
Flavour: Sweet, fragrant and juicy with balanced acidity
Best for: Fresh eating, salads, grilling, baking, jam, chutney and compote
Storage: Ripen at room temperature away from direct sunlight, then refrigerate once ripe. For the best flavour, bring peaches back to room temperature before enjoying.
Health benefits: Rich in vitamin C, fibre, antioxidants and carotenoids that support eye and skin health.
Flavour: Rich, sweet and slightly tangy
Best for: Fresh snacking, fruit trays, salads, grilling, baking, smoothies and salsa
Storage: Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate once ripe. Handle gently, as the smooth skin marks easily.
Health benefits: A good source of fibre, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants that support digestion and skin health.
Flavour: Juicy, sweet to sweet-tart
Best for: Cheese boards, roasting, grilling, tarts, compotes and preserves
Health benefits: Rich in fibre, vitamin C and antioxidant-rich anthocyanins.
Flavour: Mildly sweet with gentle tartness
Best for: Fresh snacking, lunchboxes, baking, jams and salads
Health benefits: Provides fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants.
Flavour: Sweet, dense and concentrated
Best for: Fresh eating, baking, roasting, preserves and drying
Health benefits: A good source of fibre and antioxidants that support digestive health.
Flavour: Very sweet, aromatic and juicy
Best for: Premium snacking, fruit boards, desserts, sorbet and salads
Health benefits: Rich in vitamin C, fibre and colourful phytonutrients.
Storage (all plum varieties): Most plums ripen at room temperature and should be refrigerated once ripe. Handle gently to avoid bruising and enjoy at room temperature for the fullest flavour.
Flavour: Sweet, lightly tangy and floral
Best for: Fresh snacking, drying, baking, preserves, salads and grain bowls
Storage: Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate once ripe. Handle carefully, as apricots bruise easily.
Health benefits: Rich in carotenoids, vitamin C and antioxidants that support eye health.
Flavour: Sweet-tart to richly sweet with a crisp, juicy texture
Best for: Fresh snacking, desserts, sauces, salads and beverages
Health benefits: A great source of vitamin C, potassium and antioxidant-rich anthocyanins.
Flavour: Very sweet, delicate and mild
Best for: Premium snacking, fruit trays, salads and elegant desserts
Health benefits: Rich in vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants.
Storage (all cherry varieties): Cherries do not ripen after harvest. Refrigerate immediately, keep them dry, and wash only before serving. Rainier cherries are especially delicate and should be handled with extra care.
From grilled peaches and cherry desserts to fresh plum salads and homemade jams, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to enjoy stone fruit. Browse our collection of stone fruit recipes and discover new seasonal favourites.