European peaches

• Nutrition
  Peaches are naturally refreshing, with about 88% water and only 42 kcal per 100 g¹
• Seasonality
  In Europe, peaches are harvested mainly in summer (June–August), with large-scale production in Spain, Italy, and Greece. Spain is among the EU’s leading exporters of peaches².
• Usage
  Enjoyed fresh as a snack, sliced into fruit salads, blended in smoothies, or used in desserts. Peaches also pair well with yoghurt and cereals as a naturally sweet topping.
• Historical fun fact
  Peaches originated in China more than 4,000 years ago and were introduced to Europe via the Silk Road. The ancient Romans called them “malum persicum”(“Persian apple”), which is the origin of many modern names such as pêche (French), pesca (Italian/Spanish), and Pfirsich (German)³.
  • Cultural fun fact
    In Velventos, Greece, peaches are celebrated each summer with a local Peach Festival (ΓιορτήΡοδάκινου), combining harvest traditions with cultural events – showing how fruit can be both food and part of community identity⁴.

Sources:

¹USDA FoodData Central – Peaches, raw; EFSA EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims

²Eurostat Fruit Production Data 2022; FAO Crop Statistics

³Encyclopedia Britannica – Peach, 2021

⁴ASEPOP Velventou website; Greek local media reports, 2023