10 Fun Facts About Peaches

10 Fun Facts About Peaches

1. Peaches originated in China and have been cultivated there for over 3,000 years. China is still the number one producer of peaches in the world today.

The peach was then brought to and cultivated in India and the Middle East where they were introduced to the Europeans. Spanish settlers brought the  delicious peach to the Americas in the 16th century and we continue loving them to this day.

2. You’d be forgiven for thinking a nectarine is a cross between a peach and a plum, it is not. The only difference between a peach and nectarine is the lack of fuzz caused by a recessive gene. That’s it, nothing more. Which do you prefer? {Peaches for me please!} 

3. August has been “National Peach Month” in the United States since 1982. What took them so long? Most peaches are picked by the end of August and a bit later up in more northern parts of the United States.

Recipe: Peach and Almond Creme Tart

4. Peaches are one of the most popular fruits of artists to paint. Painting a peach can either show off or expose the lack of talent for a master painter. Have to get the fuzz just right.

5. Peaches have long been a sign of immortality, prosperity and happiness.

Recipe: Puff Pastry Peach Tart

6. The flat peach, or more popularly named today, donut peach is thought to be the sweetest variety. The donut peach derived from China and came to the U.S. in 1871. The Chinese called it a coiled peach. They are excellent.

Recipe: How to Can Peaches

7. Clingstone, semi-freestone and freestone are the 3 types of peaches. The freestones are easier for eating casually, baking, or for cobbler and other desserts.  Clingstones are more common for canning and preserving.

8. Peaches which have white flesh are high on sweetness and low on acidic tang and the peaches which have yellow flesh have less sweetness and more tang. Having said that, it varies with each peach. Hope that helps.

Recipe: Cinnamon Peach Crisp

9. Georgia is considered the “Peach State” of the United States because of its noteworthy production of peaches way back from 1571. Georgia started exporting peaches to other states by 1858.

California and South Carolina produce more now but it would cost a fortune to change the license plates. Ha?

Recipe: Peach Jam

10. The game of basketball as it is known today was created by Dr. James Naismith in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to condition young athletes during cold months.

You guessed it, he used a peach basket as the ball receptacle. If there were no peaches, maybe there would never be basketball. You never know.

I guess it took them a while to figure out how to cut a hole in the bottom of the basket though because the game was stopped and someone had to climb up and toss the ball out when someone scored. 😉

Had you heard any of those fun facts before? Do you have any of your own to add? Is there a particular produce item you’re just dying to know more about? I take requests! 

~Mavis

P.S. If you’re looking for order an older peach tree variety, be sure and check out Trees of Antiquity. I’ve ordered from them in the past and they trees are great!