Peaches

Peaches are round, sweet fruits with soft, fuzzy skin. They are pink, orange, and yellow on the outside. Inside, the flesh is juicy and sweet, with a big hard seed called a pit in the middle. Peaches grow on trees and are a favorite summer fruit.

Where Peaches Come From

Peaches first grew in China over 4,000 years ago. They were brought to other parts of the world along trade routes. Spanish explorers carried peaches to America in the 1500s. Today, the state of Georgia is famous for its peaches and is called the Peach State. China still grows more peaches than any other country.

Peach Fruits and Foods

There are two main types of peaches. Freestone peaches have a pit that pops out easily from the fruit. Clingstone peaches have a pit that sticks tight to the flesh. People eat peaches fresh, or use them in pies, cobblers, jams, and ice cream. Canned peaches let you enjoy the fruit all year long.

Fun Facts

• Peaches and nectarines are almost the same fruit, but nectarines have smooth skin.
• The peach is the state fruit of Georgia and South Carolina.
• A peach tree can grow up to 25 feet tall.

Did You Know?

Peaches belong to a group of fruits called stone fruits. Other stone fruits include cherries, plums, and apricots, all of which have a hard pit in the middle.