Stone Fruits: A Summer Staple

Stone fruits offer a variety of colors, textures, and flavors. From peaches to cherries, they offer a sweet-tart balance that works across both sweet and savory applications. Whether it's a summer dessert or a vibrant entree, stone fruits are a standout every season!

Though many stone fruits are similar to each other,  each has something unique to offer across the menu, from the natural sweetness of peaches to the 

Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots

Juicy, flavorful, and endlessly versatile, peaches are a standout among fruits. This stone fruit has a lush aroma, vibrant color, and signature sweet flavor.

Whether served raw, roasted, or grilled, peaches lend brightness and depth to any dish. They shine in cobblers, crisps, and tarts, or transform syrups and reductions for pastries and plated desserts.

In savory appliations, their acidity cuts through richness. Concentrate their flavor and pair them with proteins, sharp cheeses, or bitter greens for a colorful standout.

Contrary to peaches, nectarines offer smoother skin and firmer texture. Nearly identical to peaches, they shine in the same way across sweet and savory dishes.

Their natural sugars caramelize beautifully on the grill, making them an elegant addition to desserts. With a balanced sweet-tart flavor, they fit naturally in savory dishes alongside pork or duck, or added to grain bowls for a pop of color and contrast. 

Colorfully, apricots are similar to nectarines and peaches, with the same silky skin as nectarines and soft, yellow-orange of peaches. These smaller stone fruits aren't as sweet or juicy as the other two, with a lower sugar and water content than the other two.

Cherries

The smallest of the stone fruit, cherries come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. From red cherry varieties to the lighter Rainier, they're a popular addition across desserts.

Red cherries offer bold color. Bright and zesty, their balance of sweetness and acidity make them standout in any dessert array. Their tartness cuts through rich batter, and their color provides striking visual appeal. They also work well in glazes or vinaigrettes for more savory applications.

Sweeter and with lower acidity, Rainier cherries are a cross between Bing and Van cherries varieties. This premium cherry is a perfect combination, with sweet, thin skin and thick creamy-yellow flesh. With one of the highest sugar levels of all stone fruit, they shine as a sweet addition to appetizers, hotter savory entrees, or seasonal drinks!

Plums

On the other hand, plums, while just as versatile as the other stone fruits, are visually bold and stand out. Both red and black plums offer depth across the menu.

Thought to be the first type of fruit cultivated by man, red plums continue to ripen after harvest and can have a succulent consistency. With thin, tart skin, and a deep red color, red plums offer a tangy and refreshing bite that shines raw, grilled, or roasted.

Black plums are slightly sweeter and richer than red plums. Richer, and with a mellow flavor, black plums work well in reductions, sauces, or baked goods. Together, they strike a flavorful balance and elevate a wide range of savory dishes. Paired well with pork or lamb, or topping fresh burrata, plums offer contrast, rich complexity, and unmistakable summer character to every dish.

Across the board, stone fruits shine across the menu. Perfect for building contrast or as a seasonal star in desserts, drinks, and entrees, they offer variety and balance with their sweet-tart flavor profiles and range of colors.