Peaches  Of Persian or Chinese origin.  Called "tao" the peach is known to have been grown in China over 2500 years ago, they became very popular throughout Europe and were brought to the New World by the Spaniards, the French and the English.

Main Commercial Varieties Clingstone (canning); Freestone (canning and eating), white, (eating), Elberta. 

Select    Firm, well-colored peaches, not green ones. Peaches are ripe when just soft to the touch, and should be refrigerated when ripe. Use as soon as possible. Peak season is July and August.

Market Forms Fresh, frozen, canned and jarred. In nectars, preserves, jellies, jams, pickles, brandied and in syrup.

Serve  Fresh in pies and pastries, jams, filled desserts, with barbecued meats, fruit salads and cocktails, baked, brandied with meats or as a condiment or dessert, nectars, dried as a confection or for cooking.