Clingstone vs Freestone Fruit: What’s the Difference?
When summer rolls around, the fruit bowl starts to look a whole lot happier - full of golden peaches, blushing nectarines, juicy plums and sweet apricots. But if you’ve ever cut into a peach and found the pit stubbornly clinging to the flesh, you’ve discovered one of nature’s little quirks: the difference between clingstone and freestone fruit.
Let’s break it down so you know what you’re cutting into next time.
🍑 The basics: Clingstone vs Freestone
Stonefruit - think peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots - come in two main types:
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Clingstone: The pit is firmly attached to the flesh. When you try to twist the fruit apart, it clings on for dear life.
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Freestone: The pit separates cleanly from the flesh, making it easier to slice and prepare.
If you’ve ever cut a peach and the stone pops right out, that’s a freestone. If it refuses to budge - that’s a clingstone.
🍒 What about semi-cling or semi-freestone?
Sometimes you’ll see the terms semi-cling, semi-clingstone, or semi-freestone. These are hybrid varieties - a little from column A, a little from column B. The pit still clings slightly, but not as tightly as a true clingstone, so they’re easier to work with while keeping that juicy texture.
🍰 When to use each type
Freestone fruit is a dream for anything that needs neat slices or quick prep - salads, tarts, fruit platters, or poaching. Because the pit comes out cleanly, you can get beautiful, even pieces without wrestling the fruit.
Clingstone fruit, on the other hand, often wins on flavour. They tend to be a touch sweeter and juicier, which makes them brilliant for snacking, baking, or cooking down into jams and sauces. They do take a bit more patience to prepare - but it’s worth it for that extra burst of flavour.
🧺 How to tell the difference before you buy
Here’s the tricky part - you can’t tell by looking! The skin colour, shape, and size don’t give it away. The easiest way to find out is to ask your local grocer or market team (hi, that’s us 👋). We’ll always know what’s in season and whether it’s clingstone, freestone, or somewhere in between.
☀️ Bringing it all together
Whether you’re slicing freestone peaches for a summer salad or biting into a perfectly ripe clingstone straight from the fruit bowl, both have their moment to shine. The real trick is knowing which one suits your mood - neat and tidy, or juicy and wild.
So next time you’re shopping with Dimples, chat to the team about what’s best for your weekend plans. Salad? Dessert? Just snacking under the sun? We’ve got the right stonefruit for you.
