Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Peaches

Whether you eat peaches every day or only in a special-occasion cobbler, you might not know much about them other than their sweet flavor. Although you can find peaches in almost any state, Georgia is the most famous for them. In fact, the people of Georgia made the peach their state fruit back in April 1995. Explore these fascinating facts you didn’t know about peaches to learn more about this sweet and fuzzy fruit.

The Fuzz Has a Purpose

Believe it or not, the fuzz on a peach has another purpose aside from tickling you as you try to bite into it. Interestingly, the fuzzy texture on the exterior of peaches works as a defense mechanism. It helps to protect the tree itself from anything that may weaken it or cause issues. For example, insects, animals, diseases, and even bad weather can cause problems for peach trees, but the unique texture provides extra protection.

They’re Full of Nutrients

Although you probably know most fruits are relatively nourishing to your body, peaches are an excellent source of several vital nutrients you need as a human. Most notably, peaches contain significant amounts of vitamin B, folate, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and calcium. With that in mind, peaches are great options for people with inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.

Peaches Are Drupes

Peaches are unique fruits, and they actually belong to the drupe family. Drupes are fruits with thin skin and a center pit containing a seed. This family includes peaches, cherries, almonds, plums, walnuts, and pecans, and they’re all uniquely delicious.

There Are Two General Peach Categories

While there are numerous peach varieties around the world, all peaches fall into two categories: freestones and clingstones. The flesh of freestone peaches separates from the pit relatively easily, while the flesh is more difficult to separate from the pit in clingstone varieties.

With that in mind, freestones are more suitable for fresh eating, and clingstones are better options for canning. If you want peaches for a specific purpose, be sure to keep this in mind, along with the other common peach-planting mistakes.

These are only a few of the fascinating facts you didn’t know about peaches, but they’re enough to add a few more fun facts to your collection. If you didn’t already know these facts, other people around you probably don’t. Bring these up in conversation to show off your peachy knowledge or share them with a peach lover in your life.