Just peachy. Peachy keen. Peaches and cream. All these sayings refer to delight and if you’ve ever had a peach, you’ll understand why!

Peaches are stone fruits, meaning that they consist of juicy flesh surrounding a hard, inedible pit. They come in yellow and white varieties, as well as round and flattened shapes, but all peaches are sweet with soft, fuzzy skin.

Peaches are part of the fruit group on MyPlate, and offer plenty of important nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. In addition to drinking water, eating juicy fruits, such as peaches, helps your body stay hydrated. Peaches are a great way to include fruit in your diet, with one medium peach counting as 1 cup of fruit on MyPlate.

Originally from China, peaches are now grown across the United States, including in California, South Carolina, Georgia, Oregon, and New Jersey. These tasty fruits grow on trees and are members of the rose family. Peach trees blossom each spring and the fruit ripens throughout the summer. This means that peaches are at peak quality and flavor from June through September.

How do you pick the perfect peach? Look for fruits without bruises, blemishes, or green areas. A good peach will feel heavy for its size with flesh that gives when pressed gently. Peaches should be stored at room temperature until ripe but can also be kept in the refrigerator to extend freshness. You can ripen peaches faster by storing them in a paper bag. Peaches can also be found canned or frozen in the grocery store for a taste of summer all year round!

Fresh, frozen, and canned peaches can be enjoyed in sweet and savory recipes alike. Try out topping cereal or yogurt with peach slices, adding chopped peaches to fruit salads and salsas, or blending frozen peaches into smoothies. If you’re feeling adventurous, peaches are delicious in baked goods or even grilled!

So, the next time you’re craving a sweet, healthy treat, give a peach a try! With how delicious and versatile peaches are, what’s not to love?