Herb. No. 208 · Rosaceae
Chinese origin; Persia was the middleman. American South and California finished the commercial story.
Native · East Asia
Native Also grown
LegalGentleplant
Peach
Prunus persica
Fruit & vegetableHarvestCompanions
A fuzzy Chinese fruit that Persia only forwarded — ripe flesh is the plate, and the pit is not a supplement.
Peach is a Chinese Prunus that reached Europe with a Persian return address (hence persica). Traditional use is as ripe fruit. Culinary amounts are the path. The pit and its kernel are not laetrile, not vitamin B17, not a protocol. Freestone and clingstone are kitchen habits. A late frost takes the crop in many inland valleys.
Flavor
Floral, honey, a little acid. Underripe is cardboard. Overripe is jam in your hand.
Parts used
Ripe fruit
Helpful
- A true summer fruit
- Jam and leather from a glut
Cautions
- Frost on the bloom
- Brown rot in wet years
- Pits are not medicine