Why Do Peaches Get Fuzzy

Peach fuzz isn’t just a funny trait of the summertime fruit. … First, peach fuzz protects the fruit from insects and other pests. The tiny little hairs are irritating for some bugs. When every inch of a peach is covered with the fuzz, the creepy crawlers and fliers won’t land on the fruit’s skin.

What kind of peaches are fuzzy?

A nectarine! Nectarines belong to the same species as peaches. Whereas peaches contain a dominant gene that produces their signature fuzz, nectarines have a recessive gene that causes smooth, fuzz-free skin.

Do all peaches have fuzz on them?

Not true! In fact, peaches and nectarines are genetically almost identical, with just one gene that’s either dominant (in peaches) or recessive (in nectarines) that determines whether the skin is fuzzy or smooth.