nectarine

This fruit is often mistaken for a plum due to its smooth skin, but it is genetically a fuzzless peach. It typically possesses a more tart, acidic flavor profile than the standard peach, making it a preferred choice for culinary applications that require a sharper contrast. As a countable noun, it follows standard English pluralization rules. It is used primarily in botanical, culinary, and grocery contexts to distinguish it from other stone fruits.