Though alike in taste and appearance, these fruits are not the same.

Heres what it’s crucial that you know when it comes to a peach vs. nectarine.

What Is a Peach?

pattern of peaches on a pastel background. Flat lay, top view.

Photo:Anna Kim/Getty Images

Apeachis a fruit known for its fuzzy orange or red exterior skin and juicy flesh.

Like all stone fruits, peaches grow on trees and are members of the genus Prunus.

Peaches are their own distinct species.

What Is a Nectarine?

A nectarine is a variety of peach!

Nectarines have smooth, almost glossy red-orange skin, as a nectarine is indeed a smooth-skinned peach.

Nectarines are not their own species and grow on the same trees as peaches.

Peach vs. Nectarine

Peaches and nectarines both grow in sunny, temperate orchards on their own trees.

Botanically, they are nearly identical to one another and only differ by a single gene.

Can You Substitute Peaches For Nectarines?

Peaches and nectarines can be used interchangeably in pretty much any recipe.