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15 things I LEARNED this week about
Michigan
Peaches
Dianna Stampfler
PromoteMichigan.com
August is National Peach Month! #PureMichiganPeaches
Michigan ranks #3 in the country for its annual peach harvest (behind California and Georgia, respectively), with nearly 47 million pounds harvested each year.
The “Fruit Belt” counties of Berrien, Van Buren andOceana (along the Lake Michigan shoreline) are theLargest peach producers in the state, with more than8,300 acres of peach trees (as well as other fruitorchards).
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Where it all began in Michigan…
In 1780, William Burnett became one of Berrien County’s first permanent residents of European descent, establishing a trading post on the banks of the St. Joseph River to take advantage of the burgeoning fur trade between Euro- and Native Americans. It was here he planted the state’s first peach trees. Burnett took such good care of his peach trees that 40 years later, the first settlers who came to this area found Burnett's orchard healthy and still bearing fruit.
FYI: Michigan didn’t become a state until 1837.
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Haven peaches were developed in Michigan!
Red Haven peaches have become the most widely planted and longest producing (from late July thru August) freestone peach in the world. This variety, along with many other “haven” varieties, were developed by Professor Stanley Johnson at Michigan State University's South Haven Experiment Station. There is a Michigan Historical Marker commemorating this in Stanley Johnson Park (where else) in South Haven, where they were first planted around 1940.
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East Lansing is home to MSU and Red Haven
Not far from the MSU campus is Red Haven, mid-Michigan’s premier farm-to-table dining experience—named in honor of Johnson’s Red Haven peach. The menu includes ever-changing local, seasonal food and drink selections.
International TV personality Anthony Bourdain even visited here in 2013!
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Peach Wine…a sweet treat!
At least two southwest Michigan wineries produce peach-influenced wines. Sweet Nancie Sparkling Wine from St. Julian features tropical passion fruit and peach juices blended to create a bubbly, full of exotic aromas and packed with flavor. Warner Vineyards produces a Peach & Honey Wine—a killer blend of peaches, honey, apricots, cinnamon and white wine with 13.54% residual sugar. Both of these wineries are in Paw Paw, near South Haven.
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Pumpkin Peach Beer…well, yes…
"Let them sip their pumpkin peach ale, we'll be brewing us some golden suds.“ That was the message Anheuser-Busch sent to millions of beer drinkers with their Budweiser commercial that aired during Super Bowl XLIX in February (a jab at craft beer drinkers). In response, Kalamazoo-based Bell’s Beer produced 5 gallons (48 bottles). The limited edition fruity ale sold for $20 for a 12-ounce bottle. Griffin Claw Brewery in Birmingham created a Beechwood Aged Pumpkin Peach Ale (a jab back at Bud), of which about 600-700 bottles were produced.
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Peachy treats at MOOmers in Traverse City
On the west side of Traverse City, you’ll find MOOmers Ice Cream Parlor, voted “America’s Best Scoop” on ABC’s Good Morning America in May 2008. Among their wide selection of ice cream treats, you’ll find over 160 different flavors (with over 20 available daily) including Peach, Peach Riesling and Peach Sorbet. Many flavors are also sold in pint containers in retail outlets around Northern Michigan.
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If you have ice cream, you should have pie!
Grand Traverse Pie Company (originated in Traverse City, but now in more than a dozen cities around Michigan) offers four different flavors featuring peaches: Farmer’sMarket Peach, Glen Haven Peach Crumb, Union Street Peach Strawberry and Blackberry Peach Crumb.
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Peaches are good for you!
The health benefits of peaches should not be ignored. These fuzzy globes of deliciousness help nourish your body and protect against cancer, aid in weight loss and heal the heart. They’re a great source of beta carotene, they’re rich in potassium, are high in iron and vitamins A, C, E and K.
Source: http://livelovefruit.com/health-benefits-of-peaches/#6CuAFWE2rhwuxHWw.99
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Festivals…there must be peach festivals!
The Coloma-Glad Peach Festival (July 31-August 1, 2015) and the Romeo Peach Festival (Sept 3-7) both celebrate this fuzzy fruit.
Romeo’s festival dates back to 1931 and is one of the oldest festivals in the state. Among the festival activities are the annual Peach Queen Pageant.
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Into the mouths of babes…
The first major boost to the Michigan processing peach industry came in the 1950s when the Fremont-based Gerber Baby Food Company encouraged Michigan growers to plant “non-melting” clingstone peaches. This variety is selected because of its orange flesh color (with no red) and a distinctive taste somewhat reminiscent of apricots.Non-melting types have flesh that remain firm in the canning jar and in purees such as baby food.
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Peach jams, jellies, preserves, salsas and more!
From Joe Daly's orchards along the shores of Lake Michigan, the luscious Red Haven peach produces the ultimate chunky peach preserve. American Spoon (Petoskey, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, Saugatuck,
Traverse City and Williamsburg) is one of the last companies in America that still hand peels and hand pits this melting flesh variety of freestone peach. It has yet to be surpassed for true peach flavor, aroma, and texture both for fresh eating and for preserving.
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Process peaches for future use, at home!
You can purchase fresh peaches in August or September, then freeze, can or dehydrate them for future use. Varietal typesgenerally frozen include: “Yellow freestone,” “White freestone,” and “Red freestone.” Suitable choices for freezing and canninginclude Crest Haven, Red Haven, Allstar, Bellaire, Canadian Harmony, Goldstar, Fayette, Glohaven, Loring, Newhaven, Rio Oso Gem and Sunbeam. Elberta, Belle of Georgia and Champton peaches are recommended for canning. Fay Elberta is ideal forpreserves. For tips, visit this MSU garden site.
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Proper peach picking protocol!
A peach is softer than apples or most other fruit, so it important to pick a peach using the sides of your fingers rather than the tips. If you use the tips of your finger to hold the peach, then you will put little dents in the peach. Using the sides of your fingers is more gentle and less likely to cause bruising. Grab the peach firmly and pull it straight off the branch.
Source: Michigan Peach Sponsors.
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Peach recipes, yes of course!
The Michigan Peach Sponsors (MPS) is a non-profit, volunteer organization for the promotion of peaches and nectarines. MPS represent the Michigan peach industry in legislative issues. MPS works closely with Michigan State University on issues concerning peaches. The MPS has a list of recipes featuring Michigan peachesonline here.
15 things I LEARNED this week…
