One of the most famous fruits in this world, Peach holds a lot of surprises in case you are looking for some amazing peach facts. For example, did you know that there is a war called Peach Tree War or Peach War?
This write-up here provides such excellent fact on this amazing and insanely popular fruit. So, continue reading and be amazed.
Oh, we almost forgot to mention. Do not forget to watch the short video for some additional facts!
Amazing Peach Facts: 1-10
1. Peach is a deciduous tree which is domestic to Northwest China in the area between Tarim Basin and northern slopes of Kunlun Mountains.
2. It was this area where the peaches were first cultivated and domesticated. As of today, there are around 2000 varieties of peaches.
3. The scientific name of peach is Prunus persica. The species name is persica because of the widespread cultivation of peaches in Persia (present day Iran).
4. It belongs to the genus Prunus. Cherry, almond, apricot, plum etc. belong to the same genus. They are all present in the rose family.
5. The peach tree grows up to 7 meters tall and when they are pruned properly, they are around 3 to 4 meters tall. It has a lifespan of 12 years.
6. The leaves are lanceolate (long, wider in the middle region, shaped like a tip of the lance), measure up to 7 to 16 centimeters in length and 2 to 3 centimeters in breadth.
7. The flowers are produced during early spring before the leaves are produced.
8. The flowers are either solitary or seen in pairs and have a diameter of 2.5 to 3 centimeters. The flowers are pink in color and have five petals.
9. The peach fruit has either a yellow or white flesh and the skin is either smooth (nectarines) or velvety (peaches). Peaches are found mostly in the months of June, July and August.
10. The flesh is often delicate, but is firm in commercial varieties (when it is green or unripe).
Amazing Peach Facts: 11-20
11. There is only one seed in a peach, which is oval in shape, red-brown and is 1.3 to 2 centimeters long. Husk which appears like wood surrounds the seed.
12. Indian Blood Peach or Indian Peach is one of the heirloom varieties (a variant of peach cultivated in olden days, but is not cultivated in mass production now) that are grown in later summer. Their color may vary from red to white or even purple.
13. Peaches which are cultivated are divided into 2 types which are:
Clingstones – The stones aka seeds of the peaches don’t get easily removed from the flesh.
Freestones – The seeds of the peaches easily get removed from the flesh.
14. Peaches which have white flesh are high on sweetness and low on acidic tang and the peaches which have yellow flesh have less sweetness and more tang. Having said that, it varies with each peach.
15. North Americans and Europeans generally prefer the tangy peaches and the eastern counterparts like Japan, China, and other Asian countries prefer sweeter peaches.
16. Ancient Romans called peach as “malum persicum” i.e. Persian apple (as we have mentioned earlier that peaches were grown extensively in Persia).
17. The term Persian apple became pêche in French, which is the source of the English word peach.
18. Prunus persica is the scientific name of peach. The name means Persian plum. Plum is used here because plum is closely related to the peach.
19. Peach originated from China. Peaches were cultivated from Neolithic period in China i.e. from 6000 BCE in the province of Zhejiang in China.
20. The peach stones have been excavated from Kuahuqiao site.
Amazing Peach Facts: 21-30
21. As per archaeologists, selection of favorable peach varieties took place in Yangtze River Valley.
22. These fruits were also mentioned in writing and literature of China.
23. It was during the Jōmon period (4700 to 4400 BCE) when domesticated peaches arrived in Japan.
24. In Japan, the stones of fruits were smaller than earlier fruits. Though this domesticated variety of peach came from China to Japan the variety was seen in China in 3300 to 2300 BCE.
25. Peaches reached India in 1700 BCE during the Harappan period.
26. Greece started cultivating peach by 300 BCE. It is generally believed that it was Alexander the great who introduced peaches to Europe when he conquered Persia.
27. There is no proper evidence to back the claim that Alexander was the one who introduced peaches to Europe.
28. Romans came to know about peaches in around 1st century CE and started cultivating peaches in Emilia-Romagna.
29. Oldest artistic representation of peaches known till now is present in Herculaneum dated back to 1st century CE. It is now preserved in Naples’ National Archaeological Museum.
30. Other artistic representations (wall paintings) of peaches were present in towns were burned down by the eruption of Vesuvius volcano in 79 CE.
Amazing Peach Facts: 31-40
31. Spanish explorers brought peaches to America in 1600s. Peach made its way in England and France in 17th century.
32. America didn’t produce peaches for commercial use until 19th century. Commercial production of peaches started in Maryland, Georgia, Delaware, South Carolina, and lastly in Virginia.
33. Peaches grow in dry, temperate or continental climates where the temperature is cold unlike tropics or sub tropics.
34. Peaches are usually grown in China (the birth place), Iran, Americas, England etc. They also grow in high altitude areas in countries like India, Nepal, Ecuador, Ethiopia, and Colombia.
35. Peaches are found in different varieties like nectarines, peacherines and flat peaches.
36. Nectarines (as discussed above) are the smoother versions of peaches. Their scientific name is Prunus persica var. nucipersica or Prunus persica var. nectarina.
37. They are also found in the form of clingstones and freestones. Nectarines are smaller and sweeter than regular peaches.
38. Peacherines are considered to be the crossbreed variety of peaches and nectarines. They are produced in Australia and New Zealand.
39. Peacherines have some qualities of peach and some qualities of nectarine -basically somewhere between peaches and nectarines in terms of both looks and taste.
40. The peacherines are large and brightly colored.
Amazing Peach Facts: 41-50
41. Then there are flat peaches or pan-tao which have, as the name suggests, flattened shape unlike the rounded ones. They are also called the Saturn peaches or doughnut peaches.
42. As per 2017 data, China leads in the production of peaches with 58% of the total production. Then comes Spain, Italy, Greece, and United States.
43. Iran, the once famous country for peaches stands at 6th place in peach production.
44. Georgia is considered as the “Peach State” of United States of America because of its noteworthy production of peaches way back from 1571. Georgia started exporting peaches to other states by 1858.
45. In 2014, USA’s top three states to produce peaches were California, South Carolina and Georgia.
46. Peaches are eaten either raw or in the form of juices or desserts such as peach pies, tarts, compote, jams, and even ice creams.
47. Peaches are not only tasty and juicy, but also nutritious. They contain 10% carbs, insignificant amount of fat, 1% of protein.
48. They contain 89% water. Peaches are also low on sugar, and hence, the glycemic value is just 5 which makes peaches a good choice for diabetics as well.
49. It is loaded with vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin C. Other vitamins like vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin E and vitamin K are also present in good quantities.
50. Minerals like Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium etc. are also present in peaches.
Amazing Peach Facts: 51-60
51. A medium peach (100 grams) has around 40 calories and a large peach has around 70 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
52. Because of all these vitamins and minerals, peaches help in reducing hypokalemia (low Potassium levels in body), obesity, cholesterol etc. They help to alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer (because of the presence of Selenium), etc.
53. Peaches help in maintaining healthy skin, vision, nervous system, bones and teeth.
54. Peaches have anti-ageing properties and help in detoxification of body, improving digestion and cell health. They have diuretic effect (any substance which increases the production of urine). The minerals and vitamins found in peaches are essential during pregnancy and they help to strengthen the immune system.
55. As peaches helps in keeping us calm by reducing our anxiety, they are generally called the “Fruits of calmness”. They also help to decrease depression.
56. They can even calm a sour stomach.
57. Nectarines are also on the same page as the peaches in terms of nutrients.
58. Polyphenols in white-flesh peaches and nectarines are more compared to that found in yellow-flesh peaches and nectarines.
59. There is something called the Peach allergy or intolerance. It is nothing but hypersensitivity to proteins present in peaches.
60. Peach allergy can cause either normal allergic reactions like oral allergy syndrome (type of food allergy), contact urticaria (inflammation of the skin) or severe and dangerous reactions like anaphylaxis (may even cause death).
Amazing Peach Facts: 61-70
61. The seeds of the peaches and nectarines are not that toxic, but consuming them in large number is dangerous to both animal and human health.
62. Chinese believed that peaches possess a lot of vitality because flowers blossom before the leaves sprout.
63. The Chinese used a variety of peach wood objects like bows, figurines etc. to ward off evil spirits.
64. Seals, figurines and door gods made up of peach-wood were used to guard gates and doors.
65. Ancient Chinese medicine uses peach kernels to reduce allergies, to counter inflammation etc.
66. Old Man of the South Pole of Fulu Shou (a Chinese folk religion) holds a large peach which represents health and long life.
67. Han Fei, a Legalist philosopher, in his book Han Fei, used the term “bitten peach” for representing homosexuality.
68. In China, brides decorate their hair with peach flowers on their wedding day as the flowers connote immortality and unity.
69. In Korea, peaches were grown during the period known as “Three Kingdoms of Korea”. Koreans consider peach as a symbol of honor, longevity, riches, and happiness.
70. Peaches with two seeds are considered as good omen.
Amazing Peach Facts: 71-77
71. Peaches are one of the ten immortal animals and plants, and hence, peaches are seen in many folk paintings called minhwa.
72. In Korea, peaches and their trees are considered to be capable of warding off the evils.
73. People in Vietnam consider peach as the symbol of peace and happiness.
74. Bonsai peach trees are used for decoration in Northern Vietnam on Vietnamese New Year Day.
75. Blossoming of peach flowers is a signal for the beginning of spring in Vietnam.
76. European artists have painted multiple wall paintings of peaches. Some of the artists are Claude Monet, Henri Fantin-Latour, Van Gogh etc.
77. They symbolized peach as heart and a leaf attached to peach as tongue, inferring “speaking truth from one’s heart”.
That concludes our list of peach facts. In case you think we have missed something important or you want to contribute additional facts to the list, feel free to drop comments.
Psst… Here is an extra fact just for you: The finest peaches are grown in the vineyards of France and are referred as the pêches de vigne which are small and sweet with red flesh. However, they are not really pleasing to the eyes.
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