Yellow Peach Pie Peaches
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Peach Pie flat peaches are typically small to medium-sized fruits with an oblate shape. The fruits showcase a flattened top and bottom with curved, broad sides. Each peach has a characteristic indent on the stem end and a prominent suture line extending down the peach’s side. Peach Pie flat peaches have thin skins that can be easily punctured or damaged when the fruits are ripe. The skin is smooth and taut, covered in a light layer of velvety fuzz. This fuzz is soft and lighter compared to other varieties. The skin ripens to golden yellow hues and is distinct from other flat peaches as they do not develop a red blush. Underneath the surface, the vibrant, saturated yellow flesh is dense, aqueous, and soft with a succulent consistency when ripe. The flesh retains a firmer but tender nature, enveloping an easy-to-remove central brown pit. Peach Pie flat peaches emit an aromatic, sweet scent when ripe. The fruits are edible once mature and have high sugar mixed with low acidity to create a balanced, sweet, and tart, fruity flavor with subtle spice nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Peach Pie flat peaches are available in the early to mid-summer in California, typically between June and July.
Current Facts
Peach Pie flat peaches, botanically classified as Prunus persica var. platycarpa, are an heirloom variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The cultivar is a seasonal specialty fruit grown by Family Tree Farms in California and is favored for its rich, balanced flavor, distinct shape, and unusual coloring. Peach Pie flat peaches are named for their refreshing, fruity, and sweet-tart taste, and are said to have a rich flavoring reminiscent of classic peaches. The variety is also referred to as a type of donut peach, a moniker created in California for flat peaches. The name Peach Pie evokes a sense of nostalgia, and the variety is promoted by the Family Tree Farms as a suitable fruit for making modern variations of peach pies. In commercial markets, Peach Pie flat peaches stand out for their flat shape and golden yellow coloring. Consumers value the fruits as a snack, as the flat shape makes it easier to grip and eat around the pit. The pit can also be popped by hand from the center of the flesh, creating a hole like the popular baked good, harkening to how donut peaches acquired their broad, widely recognized name. In the present day, Peach Pie flat peaches are a delicacy only available for a few weeks each year. The fruits are primarily sold for fresh eating but are also versatile and can be incorporated into a wide array of sweet and savory culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Peach Pie flat peaches have not been studied for their nutritional properties. Yellow peaches, in general, are a source of fiber to aid in digestion and vitamins A, C, E, and K to maintain healthy organs, strengthen the immune system, guard the cells against free radical damage, and assist the body in faster wound healing. Peaches also provide minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, and zinc. Copper helps the body absorb iron for red blood cell production, while magnesium helps to control daily nerve functions. Iron produces the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, magnesium helps to develop connective tissues, and calcium and phosphorus support bone and teeth development. Zinc assists the body in protecting the immune system while also contributing to cell and tissue production.
Applications
Peach Pie flat peaches have a balanced, sweet, tart taste suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is primarily eaten out of hand and is favored for its ability to be held due to its flat shape. Peach Pie flat peaches have a distinct coloring, allowing them to add bright shades to cheese boards and fruit platters. They are also sliced and added to green salads and grain bowls, diced into fresh condiments and salsa, or served as a topping over seafood, breakfast dishes, and tacos. In addition to using the variety raw, Peach Pie flat peaches can be warmed and served with ice cream and cookies as a twist on the classic peach pie. The fruits are also incorporated into fillings for baked goods or cooked into cakes, bread, and muffins. Try blending and freezing Peach Pie flat peaches into homemade ice cream, sorbet, or popsicles. The variety can also be halved and filled with ice cream as an ice cream sandwich variation. Peach Pie flat peaches pair well with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom, herbs including mint, basil, cilantro, and parsley, and nuts including walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds. The fruits should be ripened at room temperature and are commonly placed in a paper bag on the counter to speed up maturity time. Once ripe, Peach Pie flat peaches should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. Ripe flat peaches last for three days when stored in the fridge.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Family Tree Farms is a multi-generational farm in Reedley, California. It was established in the mid-1930s when Herschel Jackson moved from Tennessee to California’s Central Valley, and the company has continued to operate on the same property to the present day. Three generations have shaped the business, and the farm focuses on growing seasonal fruit with flavor at the forefront. Family Tree Farms acquired its name in 2001 and began growing fruits, including stone fruits, citrus, and berries. The farm also uses ten acres to trial new fruit varieties at their research center and oversees the entire production journey from selecting seeds to fruit packing. The farm has expanded since its creation in the mid-20th century, and the company currently has operations in Mexico, Peru, and Africa.
Geography/History
Peach Pie flat peaches are grown by Family Tree Farms in Reedley, a city in Fresno County, California. Much of the history of the variety is unknown beyond its common label as an heirloom cultivar. Flat peaches, in general, are descendants of ancient peach varieties native to China. When flat peaches were later introduced to the United States in the mid to late 19th century, the fruits remained relatively obscure until the late 20th century. In the 1960s and 70s, scientists began hybridizing varieties of flat peaches in New Jersey, sparking the continued development of new cultivars for commercial markets. Today, Peach Pie flat peaches are a specialty variety of Family Tree Farms and are seasonally sold through select retailers and wholesalers in the United States.
