Peach
A juicy drupe: choose it fragrant and soft under your finger.
- Season: June, July, August, September
- Peak season: July, August
- Botanical family: Rosaceae
History
Native to China, where it has been grown for thousands of years, the peach reached Europe via Persia, hence its Latin name Prunus persica. The Romans spread it through Gaul. Louis XIV had it grown at Versailles, in the King’s Kitchen Garden.
Origin and growing regions
French peaches grow in sunny valleys:
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Drôme, Ardèche)
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
- Occitanie (Roussillon)
The vineyard peach, small and fragrant, is a sought-after old variety.
Benefits
The peach is a juicy, light summer fruit:
- Hydrating: About 87 % water.
- Low in calories: About 40 kcal per 100 g.
- Carotenoids: Especially in yellow-fleshed varieties.
- Fibre: In the skin and flesh.
Varieties
- White peach: Very juicy, delicate scent.
- Yellow peach: Firmer flesh, slightly tangy.
- Flat peach: Flattened shape, very sweet.
- Vineyard peach: Small, blood-red flesh, late summer.
- Nectarine: Smooth skin, flesh comes away from the stone.
- Brugnon: Smooth skin too, flesh clings to the stone.
Zero waste
- Storing: At room temperature to ripen, then in the fridge: 3 to 4 days.
- Freezing: Peeled, in quarters, with lemon juice: up to 12 months.
- Nothing goes to waste: Overripe peaches make a compote, sorbet or smoothie. The skin flavours a syrup.