PEACH PECAN 7.6 OZ

Ingredients- organic peaches, organic sugar, organic pecans, organic lemon juice, Myers Dark Rum

SPICED PEACH 7.6 OZ

Ingredients- organic peaches, organic sugar, organic candied ginger, organic lemon juice, organic cardamom, organic cloves, organic cinnamon

The peach probably originated in China, and was introduced to Europe via modern day Iran.  This Persian route is reflected in their name, Prunus persica,   Europeans brought this delightful fruit to the New World where it was rapidly cultivated by native Americans and colonialists alike.  Of the many varieties that are described as heirlooms (e.g. Elberta) some are of surprisingly recent origin.

The fruits of the genus, Prunus ,  are believed to have high altitude origins.  To achieve fruit set they demand cold winters that induce dormancy and warm summers that promote fruit ripening.  Temperate highlands such as those found in SW Colorado provide an ideal environment for these fruits that abhor the tropics.

Peaches generally fall into one of two categories:  the "cling" or the "freestone" peaches.  The cling peaches, notable for their firm flesh that clings tightly to the pit, usually arrive in the marketplace in the early part of the season.  The clings are best for canning.  The freestones generally arrive later in the season, and have a more delicate flesh that is easy to separate from the pit.  The freestones represent the peaches typically chosen as the gold standards that define peach quality.  The fragility of the ripe fruit makes it a prerequisite to obtain local stock whenever quality is desired.

Prunus is a genus that includes many trees that bear well-known fruits such as the apricot, cherry, peach, and plum.

The best indicator of ripeness in peaches is its deep, pleasant aroma.