Scientific name : Prunus persica
Peach is a juicy stone fruit that belongs to the family of Rosaceae which includes cherry and plum.
History
Based on genetic studies, it is believed that this fruit was first cultivated in China. The species name persica is due to the fact that it was widely cultivated in Persia and from there it moved to Europe.
Peach was brought to India and Western Asia in ancient times. It travelled from China to Persia and from there to Greece. When Alexander the Great conquered Persia, he introduced this fruit to Europe. It reached England and France in the 17th century. United States began commercial production of these fruits only around the 19th century in Maryland, Delaware, Georgia and finally Virginia.
Nectarines belong to same species as peaches. The difference is that nectarine has smooth skin whereas peach has a velvety skin.
Growth
Peaches are deciduous trees and they attain a height of about 13 – 33 feet and about 6 inches in diameter. The pink colored flowers are produced in early spring before the leaves and they are about 2.2 – 3 cm in diameter, with 5 petals. The fruit has a delicate aroma and the fleshy part is delicate and is either whitish or yellowish in color. There is a single red-brown oval shaped seed inside that is approximately 2 cm long and is surrounded by a wood-like husk.
The total lifespan of the trees is around 12 years and they begin bearing fruit in their third year. They have a chilling requirement that tropical areas with low altitudes cannot satisfy. At the same time, they need an intense summer heat to mature the crop with temperature between 20 and 30 degree C.
Since these trees flower in early spring, the blooms can be damaged or killed by freezes due to spring frost. Generally, at temperatures below -4 degree C, most flowers will be killed.
There are broadly two categories of peach and nectarine cultivars – freestone and clingstone. The fruit flesh separates readily from the pit for freestones and these fruits are preferabbly eaten fresh. The flesh clings tightly to the pit for clingstones and these fruits are preferred for canning. Some cultivars are partially freestone and clingstone and are called semi-free.
These trees need full sun and need good natural air flow. They are planted in early winter and require a regular supply of water, with increased amounts just before harvest.
The trees need nitrogen rich fertilizers that is a tad more that other fruit trees. They start exhibiting stunted growth or the leaves start turning yellow, if there is a lack of regular fertilizer supply.
If full number of the fruits mature on a branch, they lack in flavor and are under-sized. For this reason, the number of flowers on the trees are typically thinned out midway in the season by commercial growers.
Peach harvest can occur from late May into August and the harvest from each tree lasts about a week.
Peach trees are prone to a disease called leaf curl which reduces the crop yield by partially defoliating the tree and does not directly affect the fruit. The fruit is more susceptible to brown rot or a dark reddish spot.
The peach trees sold by nurseries are cultivars budded or grafted onto a suitable rootstock to improve predictability of the fruit quality. Semi-dwarf variety which is around 3 – 4 m and dwarf variety which is around 2-3 m have been developed and these are grown by home gardeners. The fruit size is not affected. Another mutation has also been developed, which is used for ornamental display instead of fruit production.
How to Select and Store Peaches
Select peaches that are firm to touch, but not completely hard and are free of bruises. Old peaches are very soft or wrinkled.
If peaches are slightly too firm, they would need to ripen more to become softer. In that case, keep them at room temperature in a paper bag in a single layer, loosely closed so that they can ripen, before placing them in the refrigerator.
Ripe peaches need to be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and can last upto a week. You need to wash the fruits only before you intend to use it.
Peaches and nectarines are highly perishable and need to be consumed or canned within two weeks of harvest. It is best to store them at temperatures of 32 degree F and high humidity. Peaches continue to ripen even after being picked from the tree.
Nectarines
These are the variety P. persica var. nucipersica or var. nectarina. They have a smooth skin. As they lack short hairs or fuzz, they are also referred to as shaved peach, fuzzy-less peach or shaven peach.
Just like peaches, nectarines can be white or yellow and either clingstone or freestone. They are slightly smaller and sweeter than peaches but with much overlap. They appear more reddish than peaches because of the lack of skin fuzz and have a plum-like appearance. Their skin is more easily bruised than peaches.
Peacherines
They are a cross between a peach and nectarine. These fruits are intermediate in appearance between a peach and nectarine. They are large and brightly colored like a red peach. The fleshy part of the fruit is generally yellow but white varieties also exist.
Production
The largest peach producing states in United States are California, Georgia and South Carolina. Georgia is known by the name Peach State because of its production of peaches. Historical peach producing areas are China, France, Iran, Italy, Greece and Spain. Canada and Australia have also become important peach producing nations.
Nutrition
Peaches are low calorie fruits and are a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Nectarines provide twice the Vitamin A and slightly more Vitamin C than peaches. They are also a richer source of potassium than peaches.
Cuisine
Peaches can be used in a variety of recipes like peach pies, peach cobbler, peach cakes, peach ice creams and peach muffins.
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