Background
Cultivation of peaches (Prunus persica) began in China as early as 2000 B.C. By 300 B.C. Greeks and Persians were enjoying peaches. In the first century A.D., Romans began cultivating peaches. From Italy, the cultivation of peaches spread throughout Europe and to the Americas, where the early settlers planted them all along the eastern coast. By the mid-1700s, peaches were so plentiful in the United States that botanists thought of them as native fruits.
The two basic types of peaches are clingstone and freestone. With clingstone peaches, the flesh “clings” to the "stone" of the peach, making it difficult to separate, and thus more suitable for processing. In addition, this variety retains its flavor and soft texture during processing. According to the ERS, roughly 75 percent of processed peaches are canned and 17 percent are frozen. Processed peaches may also be frozen, prepared as baby food and concentrated for fruit juice.
The pit of freestone peaches "freely" separates from the flesh, making it ideal for fresh consumption. Freestone peaches are generally larger than clingstones with a firmer, less juicy texture. While most commonly eaten fresh, these peaches may also be frozen and dried.
In the 1990s, flat donut peaches were re-introduced to the U.S. market. Donut peaches are super-sweet, with creamy, juicy flesh that could be either white or yellow. March 2008 . . . Peaches
- California Canning Peach Association.
- California Cling Peaches, California Cling Peach Board.
- China Agricultural Data, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2001 - Information on production, cost of production and trade.
- Fruits and Tree Nuts, ERS, USDA.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Enhanced Federal Efforts to Increase Consumption Could Yield Health Benefits for Americans, GAO Report Number 02-657, 2002.
- Georgia Peach, Trade Environment Database (TED) Projects, 2004.
- Peach Prices by Shipment Origin, Ag Marketing Service, USDA.
- Peaches (Domestic Production & International Trade Info), FASonline, USDA.
- Sweet Georgia Peaches, Georgia Peach Commission.
- United States Standards for Grades of Peaches, AMS, USDA, 2004.
Production
- Southeastern Peach, Nectarine and Plum Pest Management and Culture Guide, University of Georgia, 2008 - This guide for commercial growers provides information on suggested fungicide and insecticide rates for various growth stages.
- California Commodity Profile: Peaches and Nectarines, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2002.
- Disease, Insect and Weed Control Guide for Commercial Peach Orchards, Mississippi State University Extension.
- The Georgia Peach, University of Georgia - Provides access to the Southeastern Peach Growers' Handbook.
- Growing Peaches in North Carolina, North Carolina State University.
- Organic/Low-spray Peach Production, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), 2003.
- PlantFacts, Ohio State University - This Web site provides a full-text search engine of all extension and academic department information from all land-grant universities in the United States. Additionally, there are significant image and video databases, a FAQ database and a glossary.
- Sample Costs to Establish a Peach/Nectarine Orchard and Produce Peaches/Nectarines , University of California Cooperative Extension, 2000 - This research study provides a guide on production costs and practices associated with establishing and producing peaches and nectarine.
- Skinny Peach Trees by Judy McBride, Agricultural Research magazine, 2001 - A new variety of peach tree was developed that maintains a diameter of about five feet. That offers the possibility of growing more trees and peaches per acre.
- South Carolina Peaches, Clemson University, 2006.
Businesses/Case Studies
- Berryman Family Orchard, Washington state - Organic peach producers Bob and Shelly Berryman, whose property sits above the Columbia River, have developed specialty niche markets selling directly to consumers.
- Chappell Farms, Kline, South Carolina - Grow and market wholesale and retail peaches under the "Pat's Pride" name. Peaches are shipped throughout the United States and Canada. The farm also sells gift boxes directly to customers online.
- Durbin Farms, Jemison, Alabama - This farm has 150 acres in production and peaches are the staple crop. The farm also raises plums, nectarines, apples, blueberries and strawberries. It sells fruit at a market located next to an interstate exit as well as online.
- Paradise Orchards, Felton, Delaware - Raises more than 20 different varieties of peaches and nectarines on 10 acres. The orchard sells peach gift boxes online.
- Susquehanna Orchards, York County, Pennsylvania - Sells several varieties of peaches and apples from the 100-year-old slate roofed barn. Occasionally the farm has portions of the orchard open for pick-your-own.
- Texas Hill Country Peaches, Fredericksburg, Texas - This group of peach growers has a Web site listing each orchard's specialty, directions, hours of operation and phone numbers.
Links checked February 2008.
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