Members of the prunus family, apricot and peach, are two fruits that are often mistaken for one another. While the fruits do have some similarities, there are many differences that distinguish them from one another.
What is Peach?
Peach, also known as Prunus persica, is a juicy edible fruit that belongs to the genus prunus in the family Rosaceae. The peach tree grows to 4-10 m with lanceolate leaves and its flowers are produced in early spring before the leaves. The peach fruit has an aromatic yellow or white flesh with a velvety skin on the outside with a large oval shaped red brown seed in the middle. The flesh can be delicate, bruised or firm depending upon the cultivars. Peaches can be either clingstones or freestones depending on the manner in which the flesh of the fruit is attached to the seed.
What is Apricot?
An apricot is the fruit that is usually derived from the tree species Prunus armeniaca. However, fruits that are gained from species Prunus mandshurica, Prunus brigantina, Prunus mume, and Prunus sibirica are also known as apricots. The Prunus armeniaca is a small tree that grows about 8-12 m tall with ovate leaves. Apricot flowers are whitish pink in color and flower before the leaves in early spring.
Key Takeaways
- The apricot grows in tree species Prunus armeniaca while fruits that are gained from species Prunus mandshurica, Prunus brigantina, Prunus mume, and Prunus sibirica are also known as apricots. Peach is grown on Prunus persica.
- An apricot is smaller than a peach and is sweeter.
- An apricot has a smooth skin. The peach has a velvety skin.
While both peach and apricot derive from the same prunus family, it is evident that they are very different fruits with different characteristics, which set them apart.
