I’ve written in the past about my love of peaches. A hot August in Texas is the perfect time to enjoy this delicious fruit. Although most peaches start coming into season in July, it is August when they can be enjoyed in abundance. In fact, August is National Peach Month.

I’ve sampled peaches grown in a number of different states. I had the chance to enjoy an old favorite, the Palisade peach, during a recent Colorado vacation. Tasting an old favorite from years ago inspired me to search for a few fun facts about peaches to share.

Peaches were one of the earliest cultivated fruits with their origin in China. The fruit is thought to bring good luck and longevity in China. Even though Georgia has the nickname of the peach state, most U.S. peaches are grown in California. There is a lot of state pride regarding peaches. Colorado held a vote recently to make their state’s peach the official state fruit.    

Besides being tasty, peaches may have some important health benefits. They contain natural chemicals that may help fight against obesity and heart disease. Peaches are also rich in vitamin C, as well as high in fiber.

Right now, I’m enjoying a box of East Texas, Sunprince, peaches and hoping to get one more box or bag before the season ends. I’ve decided to combine two traditions – my love of peaches and the Hatch Chile festival – at the end of this month for a delicious treat. I plan to make Hatch Chile Peach Salsa. Here’s the recipe I will use. I hope you enjoy it with me. Please share with us your favorite peach stories or memories.

• 1 large finely chopped red onion
• 1-2 roasted hatch chiles finely diced (I plan to use 2)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 6 peeled and chopped peaches
• ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
• May add 1 tablespoon of sugar if needed for more sweetness 

About the author

As a self-described ‘techie,’ Joel Steelman, M.D., has a keen interest in the wise use of technology to improve medical care. Since 2001, he has helped implement electronic medical recordkeeping in two endocrine practices.