Its deliciously juicy, sweet flavor is unique, but, at the same time, incredibly versatile, it’s about to come into season and its color has been the central theme at many weddings … hmmm, what fruit could we be speaking of? Why, it’s a peach! Not to be confused with its close cousin the nectarine, the peach is perfect at this time of year - it’s a dynamic fruit able to be made into the sweetest of dishes as well as complement the most savoury meats.
Summer peaches are the essence of fresh, healthy and delicious. They are low in calories, contain no sodium or cholesterol, and offer a great helping of vitamins and antioxidants, which are protect the body from aging, heart disease and some cancers. Toss some peaches into your morning yogurt or breakfast cereal, bake some into a pie or tart, experiment with savory recipes for main dishes or sides, or just eat them on the go.
Peach season is just about to start here in Georgia and we thought we’d share this lovely summer recipe from our friends at Sweet Georgia Peaches:-
http://gapeaches.org/recipes/dinners/grilled-fish-tacos-with-fresh-peach-salsa
And here are some interesting facts about peaches:-
* Peaches originated in China where they were cultivated since the early days of Chinese culture. Considered the favorite fruit of emperors, peaches were first mentioned in Chinese writings dating back to the 10th century.
* Though peaches were originally planted in St. Augustine, Fla., Franciscan monks introduced them to St. Simons and Cumberland islands along Georgia's coast in 1571
* Today, over 40 different varieties of peaches are grown across the state of Georgia. Each year, Georgia produces over 130 million pounds of peaches, the official state fruit, between mid-May and mid-August.
* Important historical peach-producing regions include China, Iran, and the Mediterranean countries, such as France, Italy, Spain and Greece. More recently, the United States where the largest producing states along with Georgia, are California and South Carolina.
* The color peach first appeared in England in the 1500s. Sweet but sophisticated, it’s a favorite for weddings, where it’s often paired with classic cream for a combination that's fresh, modern, and gloriously memorable.