What is the Difference Between Peach and Apricot

The main difference between peach and apricot is that peach is a drupe fruit and is larger, juicier, and sweeter than apricot.

Peach and apricot are two flavorsome fruits. They belong to the same botanical genus, Prunus. Consequently, both peaches and apricots are closely related and share a similar shade and shape. Both fruits contain lots of nutrients and fibers. However, peaches and apricots are unique in their flavor and are different in size.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Peach
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is an Apricot
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Peach and Apricot
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Peach and Apricot
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Apricot, Peach

What is a Peach

Peach is a round-shaped, delicious stone fruit with the scientific name Prunus persica. It was initially grown in North-West China. Peach skin is multi-colored with pink, yellow, and red color variations. Peaches usually have velvet-textured skin with fuzz. A peach seed is comparatively larger than an apricot seed. It has an oval shape with a red-brown shade. However, the peach seed is poisonous and should not be consumed. The diameter of a fully grown peach is about 7 to 10 cm. Yellow peaches taste somewhat tart and sweet, while white peaches are generally sweeter than yellow peaches. We can use peaches to make desserts, jams, jellies, cocktails, salads, etc.

Peach is a fruit with lots of nutrients, including Vitamin C, Potassium, and also lots of fiber, natural sugars, and proteins. Peaches have lots of health benefits. Most significantly, this fruit promises you healthy skin, bones, vision, and teeth. Furthermore, peaches also help to shed weight, control cholesterol, etc. In addition, peach is a fruit with anti-aging properties and further offers protection against diabetes, heart disease, AMD, and certain cancers.

What is an Apricot

Apricot is an oval-shaped drupe fruit with the scientific name Prunus armeniaca. It has a sweet and tart mixed taste. Apricot skin is smooth but lacks fuzz. The color of the apricot skin can vary from yellow to orange. Apricots are slightly smaller in size and less juicy than peaches. In fact, the diameter of a fully grown apricot is about 1.5 to 2.5 cm. In brief, apricots are smaller compared to the size of a peach.

Apricots are packed with nutrients that massively benefit your health. Apricots, most significantly, act as antioxidants and possess the ability to improve digestion. Moreover, apricots contain many essential vitamins, minerals, and potassium and are low in calories. In addition, apricot is a fruit that helps to keep your body hydrated, boosting your eye and skin health.

Apricots are delicious in their raw form. Therefore, apricots are generally consumed raw or dried.   The dried apricot is considered to be a traditional dried fruit and its seed is used for medicinal purposes. Because of the sweet-tart taste of the apricots, they are used in the preparation of sweet and savory recipes, such as salads, juices, jellies, jams, or bakery items.

Similarities Between Peach and Apricot

1. Peach and apricot are both delicious fruits. They belong to the same genus, Prunus.
2. Peaches and apricots are great sources of nutrients.
3. Both fruits have many culinary uses and we use them in many dishes such as juices, salads, desserts, and jams.
4. Peach and apricot are both summer fruits with a natural sweetness.
5. These fruits are similar in shape.

Difference Between Peach and Apricot

Definition

Peach is a round-shaped prune fruit with juicy yellow flesh while apricot is a comparatively small prune fruit with white or yellow flesh.

Scientific Name

The scientific name of peach is Prunus persica while the scientific name of apricot is Prunus armeniaca.

Size

A peach is generally larger in size than an apricot.

Appearance and Texture

A peach has velvety skin with fuzz whereas an apricot has smooth skin without fuzz.

Stone

Peach stone can be poisonous and must not be consumed while the apricot stone is not poisonous and is used for medicinal purposes.

Flavor

Moreover, peach is sweeter and juicier than apricot, which has a slightly tart taste.

Vitamins

Peaches are rich in Vitamin B3 while apricots are rich in Vitamin A and B5.

Calories

Generally, apricots offer more calories than peaches

Culinary Application

Peaches are used mostly in making sweet dishes while apricots are equally used for sweet and savory dishes due to their tart flavor.

Health Benefits

Both fruits promise you healthy skin and vision. However, peach is a fruit with anti-aging properties while apricots act as antioxidants and possess the ability to improve human digestion.

Conclusion

The main difference between peach and apricot is that a peach is a round-shaped stone fruit whereas an apricot is an oval-shaped stone fruit that is smaller in size compared to a peach. A peach is naturally sweeter in taste than the less sugary and tart taste of an apricot. However, both these summer fruits are not only delicious in taste but host lots of health benefits and have a great medicinal value.

Reference:

1. “Apricot: Health Benefits and Nutritional Value.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2. Sass, Cynthia. “8 Health Benefits of Peaches.” Health.com.

Image Courtesy:

1. “White peach and cross section edit” By Fir0002 – Own work (GFDL 1.2) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Apricot and cross section” By Fir0002 – File: White peach and cross section.jpg modified by User: Noodle snacks (GFDL 1.2) via Commons Wikimedia