August is National Peach Month!
August is the peak season for peach ripeness! Despite being popularized in the south, particularly Georgia, peaches are not actually native to the United States. Peaches have roots in China dating back 4,000 years! From there, peaches traveled from Persia, then to parts of southern Europe, making way to the Americas. Peaches were regarded as symbolic fruits and were representative of immortality and vitality.
Peaches grow on small trees that are in the same family as apricots, cherries, and plums. Since they taste best when picked ripe, peaches require warm summers and cold winters. They need roughly 8 hours of direct sunlight in fertile soil per day. Genetically, peaches are nearly identical to nectarines! The one factor that separates the two is the recessive gene that causes nectarines to develop a smooth outside skin instead of fuzzy.
Peaches come in many styles! There are three main types of peaches with several varieties underneath. The types of peaches are categorized by the type of flesh and pit, including Clingstone, Freestone, and Semi-Freestone. Clingstone peaches are peaches where the pit is the softest and juiciest of the bunch. This variety is typically used in jams and preservatives. Freestone peaches are peaches in which the flesh is easily separated from the pit. These peaches are often used in baking and are excellent for slicing. Semi-Freestone peaches fall in between Clingstone and Freestone, sharing a combination of features. These may also ripen earlier than Freestones, but later than the first Clingstones.
Some common varieties of peaches are Elberta, Donut (also referred to as Saturn peaches), Red Haven, White Peach, Yellow Peach, and O’Henry. Elberta peaches are the classic freestones that you think of when Georgia peaches are brought up! They have a sweet taste, similarly to Red Haven peaches, which are also categorized as freestones. Elberta peaches have a bright yellow color with a deep red center. While Red Haven peaches share similar features to Elberta, Red Haven peaches have a deeper yellow color and a bright red color over the skin. Donut, or Saturn peaches are a flatter variety with a lower acid level, making them very sweet. White peaches have a light-colored flesh, offering a floral-like taste. Yellow peaches have a golden flesh, making them less sweet and tangier than the others. O’Henry peaches are freestones that are commonly used in baked goods and have a rich, sweet but slightly tangy taste.
Peaches have become a staple fruit of summer and August is the perfect time to celebrate! We can appreciate peaches this month by picking local peaches at pick-your-owns, visiting farmers markets, baking them into desserts or preservatives, grilling, and so much more!
