The University of Arkansas has released a new nectarine, Effie, named for a long-time university employee.
The white-flesh nectarine with “mid-acid flavor offers a milder option for those who love the old-fashioned ‘tang’ of traditional yellow peaches but prefer milder acidity,” according to a news release.
Effie is the sixth nectarine from the university’s Division of Agriculture’s fruit breeding program, named for Effie Gilmore, an employee at the Fruit Research Station near Clarksville, who worked on many fruit varieties developed at the university.
The nectarine is a firm fruit with good storage and transportation qualities and has a deep red blush skin.
Average full bloom date is March 20 at the Clarksville-area research station, and first ripening date is July 16, fruit breeder Margaret Worthington said in the release.
“That makes it the latest ripening variety from the division’s breeding program,” Worthington said in the release.
Effie maintains acceptable flesh color and flavor with three weeks of cold storage, giving it value for retail markets and local farm markets, she said.
Worthington describes Effie’s characteristics in a YouTube video:
