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Origins of the peach -

The botanical name for peach—Prunus persica—specifically refers to the fruit's widespread cultivation in Persia (modern-day Iran).

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Cultivated in China -

However, genetic studies suggest the peach probably originated in China, as early as 6000 BCE in Zhejiang Province.

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Yangtze River Valley -

Scientists pinpoint the location where cultivation and the domestication of the fruit first took place as the Yangtze River Valley.

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Greek and Roman peaches -

By 300 BCE, the Greeks were enjoying the fruit. Later, the Romans were cultivating the sweet treat. In fact, the oldest known artistic representations of the fruit are in two fragments of wall paintings, dated to the 1st century CE, in Herculaneum, preserved due to the Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE. The examples are held at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

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Ibn al-'Awwam -

The peach is mentioned by the Muslim Arab agriculturalist Ibn al-'Awwam in his book about medieval farming methods. Ibn al-'Awwam was based in southern Spain during the late 12th century.

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Spain and the Americas -

It is from Spain that the peach was introduced to the Americas, imported by conquistadors in the 16th century. 

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Europe -

The peach, by now well traveled, ended up in England and France during the 17th century, where it was a prized and expensive treat available only to royalty and the nobility.

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The peach reaches North America -

The peach made it back across the Atlantic from England to its North American colonies. An early enthusiast was Thomas Jefferson. The third president of the United States had peach trees at Monticello, his stately home in Virginia. By the mid-19th century, the peach was being cultivated in Maryland, Delaware, South Carolina, and Georgia.

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Shanghai honey nectar peach -

Meanwhile back in China, the peach was on a roll, specifically the highly desirable Shanghai honey nectar peach. The city's foundations are, quite literally, built on the peach gardens of the 19th-century, from where China's peach production began.

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Peach blossom -

Peaches flourish in dry, continental or temperate climates. Peach blossom is the flower of a peach tree. Peach blossom can be used as an edible garnish to add color to both sweet and savory dishes. Peach blossom is also applied as a pure essential oil for massage, facial care, and perfume.

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Harvest time -

The trees flower fairly early (in March in Western Europe). Summer heat is then required to mature the crop. Finally, peaches are harvested when they are fully ripe, from late June through July and August.

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World's biggest producer -

Today, China is the biggest producer of peaches and nectarines (a peach variety). The forecasted production volume in 2020/2021 was approximately 15 million metric tons.

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It's a peach! -

Italy is the world's second-largest producer of peaches. But of course this European nation, famous for its fashion, has found other more stylistic uses for the fruit. Pictured is a model wearing a dress from the Italian stylist Alessandro Consiglio made with peaches and marmalade in decompressed plastic bags.

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California peaches -

The United States is peach crazy and ranks third in world production. California leads the nation in peach production. In 2020/2021, the state turned out 468,000 metric tons of the stuff.

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South Carolina -

South Carolina is America's second-largest producer of peaches. Proud of the fact, the peach serves as the South Carolina state fruit.

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The Peach State -

Georgia has long been known as the "Peach State," and while it's the third biggest producer in the United States, Georgia remains the state most closely associated with the cultivation of the fruit. Here it's known for its delectably sweet strain, appearance, and all-around quality.

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Delaware state flower -

Delaware, the "First State," was an early cultivator of the peach and while not up there with its southern cousins, decided to adopt the peach blossom as its state flower.

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National Peach Month -

On June 16, 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August to be "National Peach Month." The edict was filed with the Office of the Federal Register.

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Spanish peaches -

The peach is the main stone fruit grown in Spain, and the country is currently placed fourth in world production.

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Peach wood -

The peach enjoys considerable cultural significance in many parts of the world. Peach wood is considered protective against evil spirits, and in this image the president of Japan's budget carrier, Peach Aviation, accompanied by cabin attendants, clutches a peach wood tablet while praying for safe air service at Tokyo's Zojoji Temple.

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Peaches of immortality -

This 18th-century Chinese glazed stoneware teapot is fashioned in the form of two peaches, known as peaches of immortality. According to  Taoist cosmology, the fruit ripens only once in a thousand years, cultivated in the garden of the queen mother of the West. The peaches symbolize long life.

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Peach kernels -

Peach kernels have traditionally been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. In particular, peach kernels are thought to relieve symptoms associated with female complaints such as uterine fibroids, heavy bleeding, bloating, irregular menstrual cycles, and fatigue.

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The peach in Korea -

In Korea, the peach is seen as the fruit of happiness, riches, honors, and long life. Furthermore, the fruit and the tree are believed to deter evil spirits. Pictured is a silk screen created during the Joseon dynasty (1391-1910) depicting a mountain god with tiger and attendants. Behind them is a peach tree, symbolizing longevity.

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Sweetest peaches -

Japan is home to the world's sweetest peach, grown in Fukushima —infamous for one of the worst nuclear accidents in modern memory.

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World's heaviest peach -

According to Guinness World Records, the heaviest peach cultivated to date is a Early Augustprince variety, native to Georgia, which topped the scales at 816.46 g (1 lb 12 oz) when it was weighed in 2018.

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American pie -

References to a peach pie of sorts date back to the days of the early American settlers. But it's the recipe that appeared in Lettice Bryan's 'The Kentucky Housewife,' published in 1839, that most American kitchens tend to follow.

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Peach melba -

Peach melba is a delicious frozen dessert of peaches and raspberry sauce with vanilla ice cream. Popular lore suggests it was created in 1893 by French chef Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel in London to honor the Australian soprano Nellie Melba, who was staying at the prestigious property.

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Peach schnapps -

Peach schnapps is a relatively new invention, introduced in 1984 by Dutch distillers DeKuyper. The flavor is intensely fruity and peach-forward, and the tipple quickly found favor with many across the world.

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The peach in art -

Soon after its arrival in Europe in the 17th century, the peach became the subject of numerous still life paintings created by some of the most celebrated artists of the age. Pictured is 'A Jar of Peaches' by Claude Monet, c. 1866.

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'Still Life with Peaches' -

Simply entitled 'Sill Life with Peaches,' this painting was made by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1881. It's one of several he created using the fruit as a central theme.

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'James and the Giant Peach' (1996) -

The popular fruit made an appearance on the big screen in 1996 with director Henry Selick's film adaptation of British author Roald Dahl's 1961 children's novel of the same name. Tim Burton was co-producer.

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Peach festivals -

And the peach is the subject of annual festivals honoring the fruit. In the United States, for example, there's the Virginia Peach Festival that began in 1988, and the Palisade Peach Festival in Colorado. Pictured is the colorful and lively Penticton Peach Festival, hosted in British Columbia, Canada. This is one of the oldest peach festivals, dating back to 1947, and takes place early August. 

Sources: (PLoS One) ('Peach Production East of the Rocky Mountains') (Statista) (Journal of the American Pomological Society) (Agricultural Marketing Resource Center) (ABC News) (Guinness World Records) (History in the Making)

See also: Colorful harvest festivals from across the globe

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