Sometimes soft and generally fuzzy,  peaches chronicle a compelling back story. Thirteen peach facts highlight the life and times of the edible fruit.

• There are hundreds of peach varieties throughout the world. Peach supplies grow in America, Italy, China, Argentina, Greece, Spain Australia, Turkey, Mexico and South Africa, as reported in the Encyclopedia of Britannica.
• Growing from a medium sized tree, peaches are related to the rose family, (Rosaceae), which includes more than 400 species of shrubs and trees.
• Prior to the 1600s and before the Spanish brought the peach to Mexico, peach trees were grown by aristocrats in China and Europe.
• The Peach is not a regular member of the bouquet of fruit, carved to resemble a floral arrangement.
• A nectarine is a smooth skinned peach (without the fuzz).

August is National Peach Month.

• Peaches have an aversion to climates where temperatures dip below freezing.
• Although Georgia is referred to as the “peach state,” blueberries are the most lucrative fruit crop in the southern state, indicates reports by the Georgia Blueberry Commission. In 2012, blueberry production outgrew peach produce, three times over.
• One cup of raw sliced peaches contains approximately 60 calories with 2.3 grams of fiber, as seen at Self Nutrition Data on peaches.
• The Encyclopedia of Britannica states that yellow fleshed peach varieties such as Elberta, Redhaven and Halford are popular in North America.

The edible fruit, referred to as the peach charts a warm and fuzzy facts.

• Sources at the Georgia Peach Council deem peaches as a good fruit  for  complementing a weight loss plan. The fruit provides a great source of fiber and is low in sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol.
• In the world and among edible fruits that grow on deciduous trees, the peach follows in third place behind the apple and pear, respectively,
• Peach cobbler, peaches ‘n’ cream, peach tart, and peach cake embody popular American desserts.

How to pick a ripe peach?

Shop for peaches that are free of scars and soft browning spots. Next., select peaches with a faint sweet fragrance. Because peaches should be consumed within 1-week of purchasing,  pick ones with a golden undertone  (soft but firm).