It almost got by us, but August is National Peach Month.

Peaches are native to China, and they've been cultivated for more than a thousand years. To the Chinese, peaches bring good luck, wealth and protection. Chinese brides carry peach blossoms for good luck on their wedding day.

The Romans brought peaches to Europe from the Middle East.

The Spanish brought peaches to South America.

The French took them to Louisiana.

The English introduced peaches to their colonies in Jamestown and Massachusetts.

Christopher Columbus actually carried peach trees during his second trip to America.

There are over 700 varieties of peaches.

China is the number one producer of peaches in the world. Italy is second, California is third. California puts out about 50 percent of this country’s peaches.

Peaches are high in vitamins A, B and C.

Peach pits contain hydrocyanic acid – it’s poisonous.

The world’s largest peach is in Gaffney, South Carolina. It weighs over 10,000 pounds. It’s the town’s water tower built in the shape of a peach in 1981.

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