Kendall Farms | Dwarf Peach

The History of Peaches

Peaches (prunus persica) are believed to be native to China, and were once known as Persian apples. Chinese literature dates its cultivation in China to 1000 B.C. when a book of poems and songs was written describing pink peach blossoms and peach trees with ripe fruit. Probably carried from China to Persia by caravan, the peach quickly spread from there to Europe. In the 16th century, it was established in Mexico, most likely by the Spanish. Soon after founding colonies on the east coast of the United States, the Spanish, French, and English also planted peaches in the New World.

Spanish missionaries introduced the peach to California in the 18th century, and in the early 1800s the Russians reportedly brought peach seeds or trees by ship to San Francisco and planted them near Fort Ross. During and following the Gold Rush, early settlers in California planted peaches, with variety selection and improvements occurring as the industry developed. They are cultivated and suited throughout warm temperate and subtropical / dry tropical regions of the world. In the peach fruit, the stone is covered with a fleshy substance that is juicy, melting, and of fine flavour when matured and mellowed.

The Kendall Farms Range

The popular division of fruit varieties into clingstones and freestones-referring to the relative tendency of the flesh to cling to the stone-is by no means accurate. These two classes merge in different varieties, and even the same variety may be freestone and clingstone in different seasons. The nearly 300 varieties of peaches grown in the world have been classified into five races, each with outstanding characteristics, ripening season, and uses. In this case the dwarf peaches stocked are Coastal White.

Coastal White - Dwarf peach trees that grow 1.8m high in either a pot / container or the ground. They produce succulent high quality white flesh peaches (free clingstone) and have the added benefit of also producing a sensational show of ‘hot pink’ flowers in Spring (which makes them s a stunning feature plant) and will produce fruit in 2 years.

Cultivation Notes

They prefer an open sunny position in well drained soil. Peaches may suffer from fungus or leaf curl diseases and a copper based spray is recommended at bud swell .

Health Benefits

Coastal White peaches are:

• Fat-free

• Saturated fat-free

• Sodium-free

• Cholesterol-free

• High in vitamin A

• A good source of vitamin C

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SAVOURY PEACH CHICKEN

Preparation

20 mins

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 1 1/4 pounds

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/4 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

4 large firm-ripe peaches, cut into 1/4-inch slices, or 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen peaches, (about 4 1/2 cups)

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Method

Heat the oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, add to the skillet and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Meanwhile combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar and orange juice in a small bowl and set aside. When the chicken is browned, transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the ginger and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth, the soy sauce mixture, and the peaches to the pan. Turn the heat up to high and cook, uncovered, for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce is nicely thickened and the peaches soften. Add the chicken back to the pan with the sauce, turn the heat down to moderate-low, cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

In the meantime, toast the almonds in a dry skillet over a medium-high heat stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Serve the chicken topped with the sauce and sprinkled with the toasted almonds.

Yield: 4 serving, 1 piece chicken, 2/3 cup sauce and 1/2 tablespoon almonds per serving

PEACH MARTINI

Preparation

3 mins

Serves 1

Ingredients

3 oz vodka

1/2 oz vermouth

1/2 oz maraschino liqueur

Method

Pour the Stoli peach vodka (Persik), Dubonnet Rouge and maraschino liqueur into a cocktail shaker half-filled with cracked ice. Shake well, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of peach, peach blossom and serve.