Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Seasons/Availability
Peaches are available year round, with a peak season April to June (for semi-free stone) and Mid-June to July (for freestone or cling-stone). California peaches are available May to mid-October, with a peak season in July and August. Fresh peaches from Chile begin arriving in November, peaking in January and February with their season ending by April.
Current Facts
There are three types of peaches: freestone, which easily releases the flesh of the peach from the pit. Cling-stone, where the fruit is firmly attached to the pit, and semi-free stone, a newer variety that is a hybrid of the cling-stone and freestone.
Description/Taste
Peaches are a juicy stone fruit with a sweet flavor similar to that of wildflower honey with underlying notes of citrus. Their delicate skin is velvety and yellowish-orange with a ruby blush. Their flesh can be yellow orange or creamy pastel peach with a reddish circle around the pit. A perfectly ripe peach at room temperature will have a sweet fragrance, be heavy for its size and will be firm yet slightly soft to the touch. Color can also be used as an indicator of ripeness, look for a uniform yellow background with no green around the stem. Peaches are perfectly ripe and prime for eating when they are slightly soft and give to slight palm pressure. For a tarter and crunchier experience select peaches that are still firm. Sweetness intensity will increase in peaches as they ripen.
Nutritional Value
Peaches are high in vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin A, niacin and potassium. Peaches also contain boron known to boost estrogen levels in post-menopausal women, stimulate the brain and aid in prevention of osteoporosis. One medium peach has about 37 calories.
Applications
Peaches can be eaten fresh, baked, broiled, grilled, poached or cooked down into compotes and sauces. Try dicing and adding to a salsa or chutneys. Overly ripe peaches are perfect for using in jams. To keep peaches from becoming mushy when cooked choose peaches that are just under ripe, they will soften when cooked but will not fall apart. Peaches will ripen quickly when stored at room temperature, while refrigerating will keep peaches from become overly ripe. When cooking peaches you want to peeled (as the skins will come off during the cooking process), there are two simple ways do this, blanch them (submerge in boiling water for 1 or 2 minutes, remove from water and place into ice-water)and remove the skin or remove the peel with a serrated peeler.
Geography/History
Peaches were originally cultivated in China near the city of Xian over 3,000 years ago. Wild peaches, called "Maotao" or "Yietao", still grow in remote areas of China. It is believed that peaches spread to Russia and Persia when Chinese traders dropped peach pits along their trade routes. Alexander the Great and his armies discovered peaches in Persia and brought them to Greece. Throughout the next centuries, peaches were spread all over Europe and then eventually to America by the Spanish. Today California, Georgia and South Carolina are major producers. Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan also contribute to the supply. In the winter peaches are imported mainly from Chile.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Peaches. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Peaches are available year round, with a peak season April to June (for semi-free stone) and Mid-June to July (for freestone or cling-stone). California peaches are available May to mid-October, with a peak season in July and August. Fresh peaches from Chile begin arriving in November, peaking in January and February with their season ending by April.
Current Facts
There are three types of peaches: freestone, which easily releases the flesh of the peach from the pit. Cling-stone, where the fruit is firmly attached to the pit, and semi-free stone, a newer variety that is a hybrid of the cling-stone and freestone.
Description/Taste
Peaches are a juicy stone fruit with a sweet flavor similar to that of wildflower honey with underlying notes of citrus. Their delicate skin is velvety and yellowish-orange with a ruby blush. Their flesh can be yellow orange or creamy pastel peach with a reddish circle around the pit. A perfectly ripe peach at room temperature will have a sweet fragrance, be heavy for its size and will be firm yet slightly soft to the touch. Color can also be used as an indicator of ripeness, look for a uniform yellow background with no green around the stem. Peaches are perfectly ripe and prime for eating when they are slightly soft and give to slight palm pressure. For a tarter and crunchier experience select peaches that are still firm. Sweetness intensity will increase in peaches as they ripen.
Nutritional Value
Peaches are high in vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin A, niacin and potassium. Peaches also contain boron known to boost estrogen levels in post-menopausal women, stimulate the brain and aid in prevention of osteoporosis. One medium peach has about 37 calories.
Applications
Peaches can be eaten fresh, baked, broiled, grilled, poached or cooked down into compotes and sauces. Try dicing and adding to a salsa or chutneys. Overly ripe peaches are perfect for using in jams. To keep peaches from becoming mushy when cooked choose peaches that are just under ripe, they will soften when cooked but will not fall apart. Peaches will ripen quickly when stored at room temperature, while refrigerating will keep peaches from become overly ripe. When cooking peaches you want to peeled (as the skins will come off during the cooking process), there are two simple ways do this, blanch them (submerge in boiling water for 1 or 2 minutes, remove from water and place into ice-water)and remove the skin or remove the peel with a serrated peeler.
Geography/History
Peaches were originally cultivated in China near the city of Xian over 3,000 years ago. Wild peaches, called "Maotao" or "Yietao", still grow in remote areas of China. It is believed that peaches spread to Russia and Persia when Chinese traders dropped peach pits along their trade routes. Alexander the Great and his armies discovered peaches in Persia and brought them to Greece. Throughout the next centuries, peaches were spread all over Europe and then eventually to America by the Spanish. Today California, Georgia and South Carolina are major producers. Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan also contribute to the supply. In the winter peaches are imported mainly from Chile.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Great News Cooking School | San Diego CA | 888-478-2433 |
| Vagabond | San Diego CA | 619-255-1035 |
| Avenue 5 | San Diego CA | 619-542-0394 |
| The Oceanaire Seafood Room | San Diego CA | 619-858-2277 |
| The Village at 631 | San Diego CA | 619-255-9405 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-702-3000 |
| Tractor Room | San Diego CA | 619-543-1007 |
| Phil Barth | San Diego CA | 812-309-0033 |
| Kensington Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-640-0494 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Peaches. One
is easiest, three is harder.
