General Description/History

• Same genus as apricots, cherries, nectarines, plums and almonds
• A drupe fruit ie. fleshy fruit with a seed in the centre of a stone
• Skin colour varies from white, yellow to red blush
• Flesh is white or yellow, soft melting and juicy.

The peach tree is a delicate, often short lived, deciduous tree. The peach belongs to the rose family and bears flowers which are small and rose pink or a larger pale pink.

When selecting peaches, look for mature fruit indicated by a yellow or whitish ground colour and a general absence of greenness. Quality is indicated by a lack of blemishes, evenly rounded, bright, fresh appearance.

The ground colour should be yellow/cream, the blush quite red, remembering though, the blush is not an indication of maturity. The fruit should feel firm but yield to gentle pressure. Avoid buying peaches which are hard and have a distinct green colour as these are likely to be immature and will not ripen properly.

Also avoid peaches which are bruised or overripe, indicated by a deeper reddish brown colour, softness of the fruit and shrivelling of the skin at the stem end, or those showing any signs of decay.

Peaches can be eaten and enjoyed either peeled or unpeeled, as a snack at anytime. Alternatively, peaches can be sliced and used in fruit or vegetable salads, pies, flans or to decorate cheesecakes and pavlovas. Peaches can also be used for desserts, jams or chutneys and make an excellent accompaniment to chicken, pork and fish.

The traditional peach varieties, as with other deciduous fruits, require cold winter conditions followed by a comparatively hot summer for growth.

There is however, a more recently introduced class of peach which has a low-chill property. This means that instead of the fruit needing a cold winter (sub-zero temperatures for fruit formation) they can develop well in warmer climates and withstand higher humidity.

Peaches require fertile, well-drained soil as the roots cannot survive wet feet, but they must be adequately supplied with moisture which is necessary for growth.

The peach originated in China where it had been cultivated for thousands of years and was mentioned in literature as far back as 551 B.C. It was transported from China to Persia (Iran) along the old silk routes and then to Europe over 2000 years ago.

The Romans, thinking the peach came from Persia gave it the botanical name Prunus persica and for many years peaches were known as Persian Apples. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also enjoyed peaches and, as civilisation spread, this delicious fruit was carried to all areas of the temperate zone.

By the 15th or 16th century, France became an important nursery centre for peach trees and plants were sent to the rest of Europe from here. Peaches were introduced to America by Columbus. By the 19th century the fruit was being produced in Australia.

Types

White Flesh

• Skin colour ranges from yellow/green to yellow/red, depending on variety
• Flesh is white to pale yellow; some varieties have red colour near the stone
• There are comparatively few sub-acid white peach varieties grown
• Season tends to be a bit later than yellow flesh peaches, but ‘White Opal’ can be found in October
• Available: commonly November to March

Yellow Flesh

• Skin colour ranges from yellow to orange to red, depending on variety
• Flesh is yellow; some varieties have red colour near the stone
• Usually the first peaches on the market
• Available: October to March

Nutritional Value

Peaches are a good source of vitamins A and C and contain some vitamin B3, potassium and dietary fibre. 132kJ/100g.

Storage/Handling

0°C and 90 -100% relative humidity.

Consumer Storage: Ripen at room temperature and store in the refrigerator for a short time.

Interesting Facts and Myths?

Cling or clingstone peaches have a pit to which the flesh ‘clings’; freestone peaches have a pit from which the flesh is easily pulled away.

“An apple is an excellent thing – until you have tried a peach.” George du Maurier (1834-1896)

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Botanical Name: Prunus persica (Rosaceae)

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Growing Areas: 

QLD – Granite Belt, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
NSW – Araluen, Bathurst, Central Tablelands, Coffs Harbour, Forbes, Hunter Valley, Medowie, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, Northern Tablelands, Tumut, Sydney Metropolitan Area, Young
VIC – Goulburn Valley, Melbourne Metropolitan Area, Mid Murray
TAS – Huon, North East SA Adelaide Hills, Riverland
WA – Dwellingup, Donnybrook, Manjimup, Perth Hills