“Nectar From The Gods…”

…At least that’s what the Romans believed. Peaches are a sweet and refreshing summertime fruit. This is the perfect time to learn all you can about peaches. August is National Peach Month! Read on to find out the health benefits of peaches and good ways to select and store them.

They harvest from May to August for the perfect cool-down to a hot day. The peach is a member of the rose (rosaceae) family. It grows on trees and shrubs. Peaches can be traced back to the 10th century B.C. in China. The Chinese believed the peach tree was the tree of life. Peaches were symbols of immortality and unity. Because of this, brides in China carry peach blossoms.

The peach got its name from a Greek philosopher who believed it was native to Persia, therefore being called persica. Sometimes, a peach tree will grow nectarines too. The difference between a nectarine and peach is a nectarine is smooth and shiny while a peach is dull and has peach fuzz.

Get ‘em while they’re ripe!
A peach will not ripe once it’s picked from the tree and they only last about a week after harvest. If you get them home and realize they are not very ripe, sometimes putting them a brown paper bag in room temperature for a few days will do the trick. Peaches need to grow in full sun and good airflow, even more so when it comes close to harvest time. When choosing the perfect tasting peach, it should yield to slight pressure. Ripe peaches are very aromatic. Its fragrance will be the scent to your summer adventures. Be sure to avoid any peaches that have soft spots, bruises, or greenish color. Handle with care! Peaches are as fragile as they are juicy.

Peaches will only last about 1-3 days at room temperature. You can refrigerate them for up to one week. Freshly sliced peaches should be tossed in lemon or limejuice to prevent them from browning. Because they do not store for very long in their original state, you can use peaches to make jam, cobbler, pie, and thirst-quenching juices.

Peaches are a good source of vitamins A and C. Vitamin C boosts the immune system to keep you ready for everything this summer has in store for you. Peaches are also rich in phytochemicals, which makes your skin healthy and gives you a radiant complexion. Peach juice is a great moisturizer and is in a lot of brand name cosmetics. They’re perfect for a sun-kissed glow!

Peaches are used in so many different ways. They are used to make peach cobbler, eaten raw, sliced, and even used to cook. Peaches should be washed gently in cool soapy water and then rinsed. The peel holds many of its nutrients. Unless it is otherwise specified, it is recommended to eat the peach with the peel intact.

August is National Peach Month!
The United States accounts for about 25% of the world’s peach market. Most of our peaches are grown in California and Georgia. Georgia is known as the Peach State. In 1982, former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August as National Peach Month because of its monetary and nutritional value to the United States.

Celebrate peaches this August! Incorporate this sweet and juicy fruit into your everyday diet. Teach your kids about the nutritional value of peaches. This is one fruit everyone loves to eat!

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