NATIONAL PEACH DAY | August 27

National Day Calendar ^ | August 27, 2024 | Staff

[Red Badger]

NATIONAL PEACH DAY

August 27 is National Peach Day on the National Day Calendar to celebrate one of summertime's most scrumptious fruits known as the peach! August is prime peach season in the U.S. and we want everyone to enjoy a few peaches, plus remember the hardworking peach growers who provide us with this delicious fruit.

#NATIONALPEACHDAY

Summertime brings plenty of opportunity to enjoy fresh fruits, especially a flavorful, juicy peach. Local farmers' markets and orchids are busy picking peaches to deliver to anxious peach lovers. Whether you enjoy a peach by itself or use your peaches for canning and baking, National Peach Day is here to encourage you to celebrate this wonderful food holiday.

Brief History of Peaches in the U.S.

The history of the peach begins in China and Central Asia dating back 4,000 years. However, peaches were not just a delicious food, they were also an expensive and highly traded commodity along the ancient Silk Road in Asia. The Silk Road is one of the most important trade routes in history that allowed for goods to be transported between East and West Asia. Transporting peaches on the Silk Road led to introducing the fruit to other parts of the country, and eventually the world.

Peaches made their way to the U.S. some time during the 17th century. Settlers from Europe and Spain began cultivating peaches upon arrival. However, it's uncertain who receives credit for introducing them first. Spanish explorers and missionaries were known to bring peach pits to Florida and Southwest and planting them. English settlers began cultivating peaches in Virginia around the same time. It's possible both Spanish and English settlers receive equal credit because of the location they landed and began growing peaches.

Production of peaches happens along the south eastern and southern parts of the country. Peach farmers work to provide peach varieties that grow well in different parts of the U.S. Peach farming requires dedication, knowledge, and in-depth management to maintain healthy peach orchids. However, peach farmers are passionate about their work to provide delicious peaches to consumers. They work endless hours growing, managing, and harvesting peaches to transport to markets, grocery stores, and other destinations. Thanks to these hardworking people, we are able to use peaches in dishes, desserts, sauces, and preservatives daily.

Did you know?

In Chinese culture, peaches are a symbol of immortality and longevity.

6 FAVORITE PEACH VARIETIES

1. Elberta peaches are one of the most popular peaches available. They are juicy and have a sweet, yet tart flavor. Some people say Elberta peaches are the best peaches for canning.

2. White peaches are pale with creamy skin sweet flesh. They have a strong floral aroma and are often enjoyed in desserts and salads.

3. Yellow peaches come in shades of orange and yellow and have a classic peach flavor. You can frequently find these peaches grocery stores.

4. Clingstone peaches come in different sizes and colors. These peaches are a more common peach for making preservatives.

5. Freestone peaches a popular peach for fresh eating because of their juicy flavor.

6. Georgia Belle peaches are an early-season peach with a yellowish-red skin and sweet flavor. This peach is normally the first summer peach.

Peaches offer several health benefits. They are low in calories and are a good source of vitamins, including vitamins A and C. They contain beta-carotene and flavonoids, which are beneficial for fighting heart disease and anti-inflammatory disease. Peaches also promote healthy skin and boost the immune system, too. In fact, peaches contain high amounts of antioxidants to help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Best of all, eating peaches is twice as good knowing you are promoting good overall health every time you take a bite!

NATIONAL PEACH DAY CELEBRATION

Visit a peach orchid or a local farmers' market. Picking your own peaches allows you to choose the ripest and most fragrant peaches.

Try a few recipes using peaches. We recommend trying peach cobbler. It's quick, easy, and tastes delicious!

Find a peach festival and celebrate with other peach lovers!

Host a peach party! Include a peach theme with as much peach inspired food as possible.

Share your recipes, photos, and peach growing tips on social media and tag #NationalPeachDay to celebrate this yummy food day.

NATIONAL PEACH DAY CREATOR

This new National Day was created by National Day Calendar staff to celebrate one of summertime's most scrumptious fruits known as the peach! Join us today as we find every way possible to enjoy peaches!

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August 27th Celebrated History

1859

After nearly a year of drilling, Edwin Drake strikes oil near Titusville, PA. The well is the first successful commercial oil well in the United States.

1940

Nestle registers the trademark for Toll House for the first time in preparation for marketing Ruth Wakefield's chocolate chip cookies.

1953

Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn is released in the U.S.

1955

Students Norris and Ross McWhirter publish the Guinness Book of World Records for the first time.

1964

Walt Disney premiers the live-action and animated series, Mary Poppins, at Grauman's Chinese Theater.

1971

Alice Waters, restaurateur and food activist, opens the French restaurant Chez Panisse. The restaurant on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, California continues to operate with a menu of fresh ingredients, entrees, pasta and pizza.

1990

The country music artist, Garth Brooks, releases his 2nd album, No Fences.

2008

Hasbro hosted the world's largest and simultaneous game of Monopoly. In 21 locations around the world, 2918 people played the popular board game. No word on how many game boards were tossed in angry defeat.

2013

The Del Mar Dive Club located in Wigston, Leicestershire, UK hosted 60 people playing dominoes underwater setting a world record.

August 27th Celebrated Birthdays Charles Dawes - 1865

The businessman and banker was elected as the 30th Vice President of the United States when he ran with Calvin Coolidge in 1924.

Katharine McCormick - 1875

The women's suffrage activist and philanthropist fully funded research for the birth control pill.

C.S. Forester - 1899

The English novelist is known for The Hornblower series as well as The Good Shepherd and The African Queen.

Lyndon B Johnson - 1908

Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, completing the term of John F. Kennedy after he was killed by an assassin.

Alice Coltrane - 1937

Jazz musician and spiritual leader, Coltrane also played piano for a short time in the John Coltrane Quartet.

Paul Reubens - 1952

Best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, the performer is also a comedian, writer and producer.

Aaron Paul - 1979

The actor is best known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in the television series Breaking Bad.

[Red Badger]

[Red Badger]

Peachy Ping!...............

[V_TWIN]

Peaches.....one of the few redeeming qualities of the state of Georgia....after that........

[Bon of Babble]

Reminds me of the homemade peach cobbler my grandmother made with the lattice top.

Does anyone still make those? They are definitely labor intensive.

[Red Badger]

Yes!...................

[Red Badger]

Here’s one way to make a lattice top that isn’t quite as intensive.

Buy a tube of canned flaky biscuits, like Pillsbury, the kind that has multiple layers.

take each individual biscuit and roll it out on a cutting board covered in sugar.

Knead the sugar into the biscuits, then roll out into a long flattened strip.

Sprinkle with sugar.

Sprinkle with cinnamon (optional)

Weave into a lattice on top of cobbler, bake as usual.

[gundog]

Pee-can pie....other than that, it’s pretty much just moonshine, and copperheads. Or so I’m told.

[tet68]

When it’s Peach picking time in Georgia
everybody picks on me !!

[Red Badger]

They grow peaches in Alabama too!..................

[Bon of Babble]

I used that canned dough when I make dumplings for chicken and dumplings - my family doesn’t know but love it.

[texas booster]

There is at least one company that sells peaches direct to consumer from Georgia.

An ad comes out on FB letting us know when they will arrive, where to show up (Tractor Supply lots seems to be a favorite) and how much to pay.

We get a flat (bushel?) when they come and enjoy some fresh peaches and pies.

[Red Badger]

I think a ‘flat’ is a ‘peck’.............

[Red Badger]

When I was a kid back in the 60’s we used to take them and flatten them out like a pancake they fry them in lard or bacon grease..................

[Bon of Babble]

Hope you are getting check ups on your heart!

My grandmother was from the South and everything was cooked in either lard or later Crisco - “get out the frying pan” was for every meal. Both grandparents died before age 70 of heart attacks...

[Red Badger]

Had a quad by-pass in 2020!.................

[Bon of Babble]

Hope you’re doing better now!

I just had my heart checked by my doctor and he was it was “perfect” - thankfully, after losing so many of my family members to early heart disease. My son is already getting his heart checked at age 30 b/c of family history - he just had an EKG, normal, Thank God.

[Beowulf9]

Introduction: Old Time Oven Peach Cobbler is a classic Southern dessert that brings together the sweet, juicy flavors of fresh peaches with a buttery, golden crust. This cobbler is baked in the oven to perfection, with a tender, biscuit-like topping that soaks up the peach juices, creating a comforting and delicious treat. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for summer when peaches are in season, but it can also be enjoyed year-round using canned or frozen peaches. Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (or canned/frozen) 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional) Instructions: Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the melted butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Prepare the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and stir until just combined. Pour the batter over the melted butter in the baking dish, but do not stir. Add the Peaches: In another bowl, toss the peaches with lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon the peaches over the batter in the baking dish. Again, do not stir. Bake the Cobbler: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the batter has risen up around the peaches. Serve: Allow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

[Delta 21]

Colorado peaches had a good harvest this year. 1st picked of the season IS ALWAYS the best. I will probly eat at least five whole peaches today.

Im there, man!

[Red Badger]

I walked 7 miles yesterday.................

[Liz]

Peach Cobbler
Fresh peach filling is baked w/ a sweet, buttery biscuit
cookie topping w/ hints of vanilla, sprinkled with sugar.

Ing--- Peach Filling 6 cups 8-9 peaches, peeled & sliced 1 Tablespoon lemon juice ¼ cup brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ Tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon pinch of sea salt ---Cobbler topping 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup granulated sugar 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon pure vanilla ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ cup salted butter ¾ cup whole milk turbinado sugar for sprinkling on top

Instructions Make the Peach Filling Peel peaches. Slice into thin slices, then cut each slice in half so it’s about 1” long. In a small bowl mix together brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, corn starch and sea salt, set aside. In a large bowl, combine peaches and lemon juice and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir to combine. Transfer to greased 9x13" baking dish.

Make the Cobbler Topping Stir together dry ing. Cut in cold butter til crumbly. Add milk and vanilla and stir to combine. Spread topping over peach mixture. Sprinkle with 1-2 Tablespoons turbinado sugar. Bake 375 deg 35-40 min til biscuits are just barely browned & set and the filling is bubbling.

Notes To use frozen peaches: Place them in a colander in the sink to thaw at room temperature for 1 hour, allowing any excess water to drain off. Slice them (if necessary), and proceed with the recipe instructions as written. Drain canned peaches, slice, and use them according to the recipe instructions for fresh peaches. Ingredient Substitution Notes

Dark brown sugar is a good substitute. Cornstarch. Arrowroot or tapioca starch or flour can be used in place of cornstarch. Swap Pastry flour or bread flour for all-purpose flour. Or use a gluten-free flour. Unsalted butter works well. 2% milk and half and half are good substitutes.Vanilla bean paste or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean are good substitutes.

Serve warm with homemade vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Refrigerate leftovers airtight 5 days, freezer up to 1 month.