Peach

Also Known As : Peach, flat peach (English), Adoo (Hindi), Chumbhrei (Manipuri), Pichesu (Kannada), Pishu (Oriya), pêcher (French), momo (Japan), peirsich, tao, tho (Chinese), pecegueiro (Portuguese), peras (Philippines), hungmon, makmuan (Thailand)
Technical Name : Prunus persica

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

Peaches have a sweet and slightly acidic taste.

Usage Tips

  1. Peaches are best stored at temperatures of 0 °C (32 °F) and high humidity
  2. Peaches can be added to salads
  3. They can be used to make salsa dips.
  4. Peaches are also a popular ingredient in many desserts like cakes, pies, puddings etc.
  5. Peaches when mixed with other fruits along with milk or hung curd make excellent shakes and smoothies.
  6. Peaches can also be used in preparation of pie, tarts, jams and jellies.

Common names and forms

  1. Dices Peaches
  2. Peach fruit
  3. Peach Halves
  4. Peaches

Description

Peaches are soft, juicy and fleshy fruits produced by a peach tree which belongs to the rose family. The peach fruit develops from a single ovary. As the fruit ripens, it forms an exterior edible part of the fruit which is both juicy and fleshy and a hard interior called the stone that consists of the seed. Of the two ovules in the ovary, usually, it is only one of it that gets fertilized and develops into a seed. This is the reason why one half of the fruit is usually slightly larger than the other. The flesh of peach fruits may be white, yellow, or red depending on the variety. It is believed that peaches probably originated in China. Currently, China is the largest producer of peaches followed by Italy, Spain and the United States. The aroma of peach is a mix of the essence of alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, polyphenols, and terpenoids together. Peaches are mostly available in their best state from June to the end of August.

Health benefits

  • Peaches contain fiber. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps to move the food through the gut. This reduces the chances of constipation and aids the process of digestion. (1)
  • Peach skin and flesh are rich in antioxidants like- carotenoids and caffeic acid. These antioxidants are found to have anti-cancer properties as they may kill cancerous cells, without causing any damage to healthy ones. (1)
  • Peaches have a good amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that can help to prevent the formation of free radicals. Being a powerful antioxidant it plays a vital role in forming collagen. Collagen is a protein that acts as a support system for the skin, promoting wound healing and enhancing skin strength. (1) 
  • They are rich in many vital minerals such as potassium and iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids and helps to regulate heart rate and maintain proper blood pressure. Iron is vital for the formation of red blood cells and increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. It also helps to prevent the onset of anemia. (2) 
  • Fluoride is also present in peaches. It is an essential component of bones and teeth and helps in the prevention of dental caries. (2)
  • Peaches contain carotenoids, particularly pro-vitamin A carotenoids that are α-carotene and β-carotene which can be synthesized into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining normal vision and improving immunity. (3)

Selection Guide

When selecting peaches, choose the ones that smell sweeter. Typically it is observed that the sweeter their smell, the riper they will be. Try to avoid brownish, bruised or wrinkled fruits as it indicates either damage or overripeness. Choose those peaches which have a slightly soft flesh.

Note

Researches suggest that overconsumption of peach can cause an increased risk of colorectal cancer in men. Peaches contain poorly absorbed fermentable sugars that are incompletely absorbed in the small intestine.As a result, they get fermented in the large intestine, where they release gas. Thus, eating too many peaches at once can cause bloating.They also contain salicylates and a compound called amygdalin, which might cause allergic reactions like nausea, diarrhea, itching, etc. in some individuals. (4)

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