Are you searching for the juiciest fun facts about peaches? From clingstones to cobblers, we’ve got all the peach facts you can sink your teeth into!
The peach, or if we want to get technical, the prunus persica, is one of the most dynamic, delicious and versatile fruits in the world.
It can be canned and preserved, baked into desserts, used in cocktails, or eaten fresh off the tree. But these fun facts about peaches will be about much more than just eating them.
For one thing, peaches are important to many cultures around the world and can symbolize immortality, longevity and good luck. No wonder Chinese brides wear peach blossoms in their hair.
And have you had dreams where you eat a peach, drink peach nectar, or pluck a peach from the tree? Keep reading to discover what may be in store for your future!
Next, we’ll head to Japan to meet the demon-slaying peach boy, then to Georgia to gawk at a 2 lb peach, then to Germany where the most famous painted peaches are on display.
What we’re saying is the peach is a worldwide phenomenon! And it’s more than just a sexy emoji.
It’s time to get this peach adventure started! We guarantee after reading these amazing peach facts you’ll be salivating for the start of peach season.
Contents:
23 Fun Facts About Peaches
1. Where did peaches originally come from?
Peaches originated in the Zhejiang province of Northwest China where they were grown around 6,000 BC.
Peaches were the preferred fruit of the Chinese emperors, and even today China produces almost 60% of the peaches worldwide.
2. The many types of peach
While you might think of a peach as a singular fruit, did you know there are over 700 varieties?
Peaches are classified based on size, flavor, and stone. Some of the most popular peach varieties are babcock, donut, early amber, arctic supreme and belle of Georgia.
3. How to choose the best peaches
Have you ever been in the produce aisle and didn’t know how to pick the best tasting peach?
First, give the peach a gentle squeeze. If it’s hard it needs more time to ripen. If it has a little give, then that peach is ready to eat. Also, smell your peaches. They should have a sweet fruity aroma.
4. Peach vs nectarine
Did you know that nectarines are actually a genetic mutation of peaches? The only discernible difference between the two is the classic fuzzy skin on a peach, compared to the smooth skin of a nectarine. Some people just can’t handle the fuzz, so they reach for a nectarine instead.
5. The three classifications of peaches
The three main peach types all come down to the pit (or stone) of the peach. With clingstone peaches, the fruit clings to the stone (Okay, now we understand the name).
Freestone peaches, you may have already guessed, fall easily away from the pit. We don’t even need to explain the last type – semi-freestone.
6. All in the family
The closest relatives to the peach are other stone fruits like plums, cherries and apricots. Surprisingly, almonds are also a close relative to the peach as both belong to the prunus genus.
This means, the tree for all these fruits is essentially the same, it’s only the fruit that’s different.
7. Beautiful peach blooms
Have you ever seen a peach tree in bloom? Most people know about cherry blossoms, but peach blossoms are just as impressive.
The flowers come before the fruit, so get out in the spring to see the stunning pink spectacle for yourself!
8. When is national peach month?
If you had to pick the month where the peaches were in their prime, when you could find the juiciest, sweetest peaches selling at your local farmer’s market, it would have to be August. So it makes sense that August is National Peach Month.
9. Who makes the largest peach cobbler?
You’ve all heard of a Georgia peach right? Well what about a Georgia peach cobbler?
Every year the Peach State, Georgia, makes the world’s largest peach cobbler, measuring in at a mammoth 11 ft by 5 ft. We’ll bring the ice cream!
10. Vitamin peach
Peaches are loaded with vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to our health. Peaches are especially high in vitamin A and C, with a bunch of the Bs in there as well.
As far as minerals go, you’ve got loads of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. Every balanced diet should include peaches!
11. The symbolism of peaches
In China the peach symbolizes immortality, good luck and unity. Often brides will wear peach blossoms in their hair to ensure a long lasting marriage.
Here’s another fun fact about peaches: in Chinese culture the peach tree is considered the tree of life.
12. What’s the heaviest peach?
We’ll have to travel over to Canada to find the heaviest peach variety. The autumnstar was first harvested by Robert Hogue and at its heaviest weighed in at 810 g (1 lb 12 oz).
The record was recently broken in 2018, when Al and Lawton Pearson of Georgia grew a 816 g (1 lb 13 oz) monster augustprince peach!
13. Eat peaches for happiness
Peaches are known as the fruit of calmness and it’s for a good reason. Not only do peaches reduce anxiety, recent studies have shown peach aromas have an analgesic effect that acts as a painkiller and antidepressant.
14. Dreaming of peaches
Let’s interpret some dreams as we continue with our glorious peach facts! Eating a peach in your dream may signify a reunion with someone from your past.
Drinking peach juice? You’re in luck… a romantic encounter is on its way. How about picking a peach from a tree? A pay raise or a windfall of cash is in your future!
15. The Persian apple
If you’re wondering how the peach got its name, you have to look back to the ancient Romans. They called the peach “malum persicum” or Persian apple, believing peaches originated in Persia (Iran).
Persicum was translated to pêche in French and then changed further to peach in English.
16. More nutritional peach facts
The average peach has about 70 calories. As for the three major metrics, per peach you’re looking at 12 g of carbs, 1.2 g of protein and 0.3 g of fat.
Another positive peach advantage is the 3 g of fiber that can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar.
17. What US state produces the most peaches?
At first guess it must be Georgia right? They are the Peach State after all. However, we know from our fun facts about pumpkins and fun facts about lemons, it’s pretty hard to out-produce the incredibly fertile state of California.
With California #1, and South Carolina #2, Georgia comes in at a respectable #3.
18. Most famous peach painting
Jar of Peaches by Claude Monet is one of the most celebrated paintings featuring fruit. Painted in 1866, the artwork features a tall jar of preserved peaches that cast a dramatic reflection onto a marble countertop.
If you want to see the masterpiece for yourself, it hangs in the Galerie Neue Meister in Dresden, Germany.
19. Peaches are big business
With countries all over the world demanding fresh fruit during the harvest season, many countries are making a hefty profit from exporting peaches.
The world peach production rankings are as follows: China 14 million tons, Spain 1.5 million tons, Italy 1.4 million tons, USA 927,000 tons, and Iran 863,000 tons.
20. The Japanese peach boy
Momotarō is a hero from Japanese folklore who was born from a giant peach. When the peach was discovered floating down a river, a family caught it and cut it open when baby Momotarō emerged. Momotarō went on to famously fight demons and ogres throughout the land. It’s like a Japanese version of James and the Giant Peach!
21. There’s a phobia for that
Are you one of those people that just can’t stand the fuzz on peaches? Well, you’re not alone.
Haptodysphoria is a fear of peach fuzz, velvet or any other fuzzy surface. The fear of peaches has even been featured on the TV talk show Maury.
22. A little song about peaches
I’m movin’ to the country, I’m gonna eat a lot of peaches… Do you recognize that opening song lyric?
That’s the hit rock song Peaches by The Presidents of the United States of America. The 1996 track made it to #8 on the Billboard rock charts.
23. Peach cocktail hour
The most delicious cocktails feature the juicy peach. Here’s a few suggestions for your next dinner party.
The fuzzy navel, a mix of peach schnapps and orange juice. The bellini, chilled or blended with prosecco and peach puree. And don’t forget to add peaches to your sangria!
Who wants more fun facts?
If you’re looking for some recommendations, these are a few of our favorite fact books to buy. We use these when planning fun trivia nights with family and friends!
We really hope you enjoyed all our fun facts about peaches! Did you learn something new?
If there’s any peach facts we missed, you can let us know in the comments below and we’ll add them to this article!
