Peach Facts

August is National Peach Month, bringing the delight of fresh, juicy fruit to people all across the country. But while peaches continue to be a favorite summertime snack, it is important to understand how the weather impacts the peach-harvesting industry.

Peaches are the third most popular fruit grown in America, and with the help of modern-day growing techniques, they are now available in the United States almost all year long.

California produces approximately 80 percent of the United States peach crop, with the rest coming mainly from the South. Most peaches grown in the United States are sold fresh, but about 40 percent are canned.

United States peaches have also become a major export to Canada, Mexico and Taiwan. In all, the United States accounts for about 25 percent of the world's peach export.

Peaches require full sunlight for optimum growth, along with summer heat to mature the crop.
Below freezing temperatures is likely to kill most peaches, while late spring frost can severely damage the blossoms.

For these reasons, the peach yield can be significantly impacted by weather throughout the growing season. As of mid-July, the 2008 peach production forecast was down three percent from 2007 because of unseasonably cold weather in mid-April that resulted in frost damage. However many high-yield areas escaped the freeze and are expecting normal production.

Overview

A favored fruit of emperors, the peach originated in China and is considered a symbol of hope and longevity.

Peaches were first brought to America by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Today they’re the country's second largest commercial fruit crop, eclipsed only by apples.

Nectarines and peaches can develop spontaneously from each other via seed or sport bud.

The Peach Melba was originally created by famed French chef Auguste Escoffier in honor of Australian opera singer Nellie Melba. The traditional recipe calls for half a peach to be poached in syrup, topped with vanilla ice cream and garnished with raspberry puree.

Pick a Good One

Choose peaches firm to the touch with flesh that yields with gentle pressure.

Avoid peaches with blemishes, dark spots, dents or a hint of green (they’ll never fully ripen).

Store ripe peaches at room temperature for three to four days or keep them in the fridge for five or six days.

Peaches Do a Body Good

One peach averages .42 grams fat, 66 calories and 2.5 grams fiber.

Peaches are high in potassium and vitamins C and A.

Peaches help stimulate digestive juices.