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Hey, I'm Desmond Layne, Peach Specialist at Clemson University. Welcome to the Clemson
Tiger Peach Network.
Today is June 23, 2011 and we're in the second season of "Everything About Peaches". This
summer's series is called "Peach Picks for South Carolina". Every week throughout the
entire growing season we are going to be featuring those cultivars that perform the very best
in "The Tastier Peach" state.
We are here at my variety test block at James Cooley's Farm in Chesnee, SC. Last time we
featured a white-fleshed nectarine called Snow Queen. This time, we are featuring a
yellow-fleshed nectarine called Honey Blaze! Honey Blaze was developed by Zaiger Genetics
in Modesto, California. It was patented in 1998 and the patent is still valid which means
you can only buy it through licensed nurseries and there will be a royalty fee associated
with the cost of those trees.
Honey Blaze is a yellow, subacid nectarine. Although it's very sweet, it doesn't have
the typical "tanginess" that we associate with a Southern peach. Yellow-fleshed, subacid
nectarines aren't all that common yet in the marketplace but they may be especially appealing
to people of Asian or Hispanic descent who particularly like low-acid type fruits.
In our Clemson University research trials over the last 4 years, the performance of
Honey Blaze has been very good. The only negative is that it seems to be a little bit more susceptible
to brown rot than some of the peach cultivars that ripen at the same timeframe. However,
it typically ripens between the middle of June and the end of June depending on where
you are located in the state.
As a nectarine, you first notice that Honey Blaze has no fuzz. It has smooth skin. Honey
Blaze typically has very good size averaging from 2 to 3 inches in diameter. It has a nice
uniform, round shape and a very attractive red overcolor (or blush). When you cut through
the skin into the flesh you can see that has beautiful yellow color. Honey Blaze fruits
are typically firm and meaty. The flesh has a mild, sweet taste. When eaten at a firm
ripe stage, they can be crunchy like an apple. Some consumers really like this.
Although Snow Queen was an excellent eating experience, let's see what Honey Blaze tastes
like... You hear that crunch? Now look at the juice, you can see that its' juicy and
hear that its crunchy. That distinguishes it from a lot of things that we've tried already
this season and that's one of the unique attributes. Its' firm, juicy, extremely sweet and its'
a delicious eating experience. That's what you're looking for!
Why don't you join us next week when we'll feature another "Peach Pick for South Carolina".
You know, being a peach specialist is a rough job, but somebody's got to do it!
For more educational videos and information about peaches, you should check out my "Everything
About Peaches" website at www.clemson.edu/peach. And if you would like to read my columns for
the American Fruit Grower magazine, you can find them at their website at www.growingproduce.com.