National Eat A Peach Day

Chocolate’s okay, but I prefer a really intense fruit taste. You know when a peach is absolutely perfect… It’s sublime.

Kathy Mattea

Peaches are quite possibly the world’s perfect fruit, they are rich and delicious and even their flesh has an amazing texture. The aroma they fill the air with is enough to turn one’s stomach to rumble, and there’s little that can compare to a nice cold peach tea in the summer heat. National Eat A Peach Day reminds you that it’s never a bad time to spend a little quality time with this perfect fruit.

Learn about National Eat A Peach Day

National Eat A Peach Day is a day that is dedicated to eating peaches, as the name suggests! Did you know that China produces more than half of the peaches in the world? So, we have them to thank for this amazing piece of fruit! Peaches offer a number of different health benefits, and so not only do they taste amazing, but they are great for your wellbeing too. They are excellent in terms of de-bloating and blood pressure control, as well as promoting brain health. They also help with weight management, lower the risk of cancer, protect your eyes, perk up your skin, boost your immune system, and they are good for digestion as well.

Fun facts about peaches

Now, let’s tell you some fun facts about peaches! Did you know that the nickname for Georgia is ‘The Peach State’? It probably, therefore, comes as no surprise that “The World’s Largest Peach Cobbler” is made in Georgia every year. This dessert measures 11 feet by five feet, pretty impressive, right? There are a number of types of peaches, yet the two main varieties are freestone and clingstone. It is more difficult to get rid of the fresh from the pit on a clingstone variety of peach.

History of National Eat A Peach Day

Like many of the world’s most delicious foods, the peach tree finds its origins deep in the NW region of China in a beautiful area in the foothills. Nestled in between the Tarim Basin and Kunlun Shan mountains this tree is the origin of what are arguably two of the world’s most delectable fruits, the peach, and the nectarine. What few people know is that the nectarine is actually the same species of fruit as the peach!

Peaches botanical name is Prunus persica, which tells us something interesting about its history. You see, the persica name comes from its widespread cultivation in Persia, but as we mentioned that isn’t actually where the peach comes from. It quickly spread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, and eventually found its way to America in the 16th Century by way of the Spanish Explorers.

By the 19th century cultivation had begun in the Americas, and now it can be found and enjoyed all over the world in infinite varieties, from white peaches to nectarines. Oh, how is it that nectarines and peaches are the same fruit but nectarines are furless? Well now, that’s just a recessive trait in the peach tree that’s been selectively bred for by nectarine farmers. Every year nectarines appear on peach trees as a result, and Eat a Peach Day is the perfect opportunity to enjoy either one!

How to celebrate National Eat A Peach Day

First, head on down to your local produce store and pick up a variety of peaches to enjoy! Then slice one up and have it for breakfast, fresh and unsullied. Then slice one up and put it in a sandwich bag with some sugar, by lunch you’ll have a delicious snack of fresh peaches in a natural syrup. The best way to enjoy peach? Find yourself a recipe for a peach cobbler, and prepare one the night before so you can come home to a delicious dessert that evening. National Eat A Peach Day is just the most delicious holiday ever!

Of course, eating peach desserts is not the healthiest way in the world to celebrate this date. However, it only happens once a year, so we won’t tell anyone if you don’t! There are lots of delicious desserts that you can enjoy making. Peach cobbler is the obvious one, but there are plenty of others. Peach roses, for instance, are easy to make and they look incredible too. They are definitely Instagram-worthy! Other ideas include raspberry and peach up-side down cake, peach crisp, brown butter peach cupcakes, grilled peaches with maple honey and marscapone, peach caramels, peach pie pop tarts, and peach vanilla cheesecake trifle. All you need to do is a quick search online and you will be able to find a lot of tasty and exciting recipes for you to try. You can even get some friends around and make some desserts together.

Another great way to celebrate National Eat A Peach Day is by reading the popular children’s novel, James and the Giant Peach. Most people have heard of this book that has been written by Roald Dahl, the famous British author. Of course, if you don’t want to do some reading, you can watch the film instead, which is based on the book. It is a musical fantasy film that was created in 1996. The film received great feedback, and it has won a number of awards over the years too. This includes Best Family Feature – Animation or Special Effects at the Young Artist Awards, Best Animated Film at Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association, as well as at the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards as well. If you have not watched it yet, it is definitely worth getting the popcorn (and peaches!) out for on National Eat A Peach Day!