Are We Watching The Extinction Of Georgia Peaches Unfold?
Georgia's food is renowned for a few reasons: it’s the birthplace of Chick-fil-A, the source of more than half of the country’s peanuts, and one of the top destinations for soul food. But its most iconic export is the peach. They call Georgia the Peach State for a reason. Since the fuzzy fruit was first introduced to the South by Franciscan monks in the 16th century, it’s become one of the state’s top agricultural products. In an average year, the state produces around 130 million pounds of peaches.
But not in 2023. In fact, you can probably expect less than 10 percent of the average crop this year. Extreme weather conditions, namely a warm winter and two frosts in March, almost entirely decimated Georgia’s peaches. The United States Department of Agriculture approved a federal relief grant for the state’s peach growers. Farmers in 56 Georgia counties are now eligible for federal loans, with 18 of those counties declared by the USDA as natural disaster areas.
A source for the New York Times predicted that the lost jobs and low peach sales could cost the state around $200 million. But the low yield is especially obvious at the supermarket. This time of the year is typically considered to be peak peach season, with an abundance of fruit so ripe and juicy that they need to be eaten over the kitchen sink. But this year’s selection is visibly different.
If you manage to get your hands on a Georgia peach this year, you can expect to pay twice as much as you normally would. With so few Georgia peaches, grocery stores have had to fill the gaps by sourcing their stone fruit from the West Coast. And compared to local fruit, the quality doesn’t stack up.
“I went to my local Publix and they only had California peaches,” says Danielle Harling, a contributing writer for Delish and Atlanta resident. “Also, given the heat and transport, a lot of the peaches end up being tossed because they aren't in good condition when it's time to sell."
Other states with robust peach industries are also bearing the brunt of these harsh weather patterns. Neighboring South Carolina lost more than 75 percent of its peach crop. New England-grown peaches are essentially nonexistent this year.
The two states that have weathered the storm and are reaping an especially fruitful crop this year are California and New Jersey. Many Americans may have to give up freshly picked local peaches in 2023, but thankfully, we don’t have to abandon the fruit entirely. If you do manage to find good peaches this summer, try using them in some of our favorite recipes:
Peach Crumble
Here, we add a bit of ground cinnamon to give some warm, spiced notes and use brown sugar for a hint of molasses comfort. If your peaches are a little underwhelming to begin with, the lemon juice will help perk up the fruitiness, so don't skip it!
Get the Peach Crumble recipe.
Peach Margarita
We've packed peachy goodness into this margarita with two ingredients: peach schnapps and peach puree. This gives multiple levels of peach flavor without sacrificing on the booziness.
Get the Peach Margarita recipe.
Campfire Berry-Peach Cobbler
You can cobbler over a fire—and it even browns like the real thing. Stupid-easy to prep, this bubbling fruit skillet is impossible to mess up. Change up this recipe with your favorite berries, we think strawberries or blueberries would pair nicely with peach too.
Get the Campfire Berry-Peach Cobbler recipe.
Peach & Burrata Caprese
We changed up the classic caprese salad by switching out juicy tomatoes for plump summer peaches and replacing sliced fresh mozzarella with its creamier cousin, burrata. Surrounded by fragrant basil then topped with candied pecans and a drizzle of spicy honey, this sweet & savory salad is a STUNNER.
Get the Peach & Burrata Caprese recipe.
Ginger Peach Jam
In order to extend the joy that is sweet, juicy, peaches, we love making this jam. Sealed and stored properly, it can last well into the cold months when all you need is a spoonful of sunshine.
Get the Ginger Peach Jam recipe.
Peach Dump Cake
Requiring only 3 ingredients (though we love a dash of cinnamon), this peach dump cake is low on effort, high on flavor. Win/win!
Get the Peach Dump Cake recipe.
Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches
Peppery arugula is the perfect vessel for this savory-sweet combo, and you just can't beat ripe, juicy peaches come summertime. We love this with funky blue cheese crumbles, but you can use feta too if you prefer.
Get the Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches recipe.
Peach Crisp
The addition of oats to the topping is what classifies a crisp and it is, hands down, the best part. The oats also gives you a motive to debate its ability to qualify as a hearty breakfast, and not just dessert (though maybe skip the ice cream in the morning 😏).
Get the Peach Crisp recipe.
Peach Galette
Rustic galettes are much easier to make than pie, but have all your same favorite elements like buttery crust and sweet fruit filling. Don't worry if yours isn't perfect—they're supposed to look rustic!
Get the Peach Galette recipe.
Vanilla-Peach Bellinis
If you can get your hands on some super ripe peaches, taste your puree before adding honey—it might be sweet enough already! If not, adding some orange zest will help coax out the sweetness even more.
Get the Vanilla-Peach Bellinis recipe.
Grilled Pineapple Salsa
This smoky-sweet pineapple and peach salsa is the perfect start to a BBQ or outdoor celebration. It might just ruin you for all other dips—you'll certainly want to grill ALL your fruit from now on.
Get the Grilled Pineapple Salsa recipe.
Easy Peach Cobbler
This fruit cobbler is juicy and sweet with just a hint of spice from ginger. The crackly top here is buttery with the perfect crunch from coarse sugar sprinkled on top.
Get the Easy Peach Cobbler recipe.
Grilled Peaches
Nothing beats a ripe, sticky-sweet peach. And while you can just bite right in, cooking with peaches is killer. For grilling, look for peaches that are a little firm. Too ripe ones will caramelize too quickly on the grill and burn.
Get the Grilled Peaches recipe.
Raspberry Peach Upside-Down Cake
This cake is a BEAUTY. Our favorite thing about upside down cakes? They're impossible to mess up because you can place your fruits just so before pouring the batter on. It's always a joy to see how they turn out once you flip them—they ALWAYS impress.
Get the Raspberry Peach Upside-Down Cake recipe.
How To Can Peaches
Finding good peaches outside of summer time is nearly impossible, so we like to can them! They become a quick shortcut to peach crisp or a peach pie, or just can just eat them straight from the jar while you dream of warmer days.
Get the Canned Peaches recipe.
How to Freeze Peaches
Good summer peaches are hard to come by. Some years' crops are just not as juicy, fragrant, or sweet. When you do chance upon magically delicious peaches, this is the best way to capture their flavor and freeze it in time so you can use them year round.
Get the Frozen Peaches recipe.
Bourbon Peach Pie
This pie has a flaky, buttery crust and a filling rich with spices and a hint of bourbon. This pie is a great opportunity to use firm peaches — they'll break down while cooking creating a jammy, addicting filling that isn't too soft.
Get the Bourbon Peach Pie recipe.
Frozcato
Moscato lovers: If you can find in season peaches, use 'em instead of frozen! Just add a little ice to the blender to chill the drink.
Get the Frozcato recipe.
Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler
It’s as if peaches existed solely to be topped with this fluffy buttermilk biscuit topping. And with almond flour and Swerve granular, this recipe is gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Get the Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler recipe.
Peaches 'n Cream Lasagna
More like a graham cracker version of icebox cake than real lasagna, this peachy dessert comes together super quickly once you macerate the peaches. Stick it in the fridge, and it'll be ready by dessert!
Get the Peaches 'n Cream Lasagna recipe.
Grilled Summer Fruit Skewers
Turn summer's best into a dessert that will definitely impress. We love the grassy note added by the olive oil, and how well it pairs with the honey drizzle at the end.
Get the Grilled Summer Fruit Skewers recipe.
White Wine Sangria
This easy white-wine sangria recipe has all of your favorite fruits (and if it doesn't, go ahead and add them!). To make things even better, the fruit get soaked in Grand Marnier for a bit before going into the sangria pitcher, making even the garnish perfectly boozy.
Get the White Wine Sangria recipe.
Peach Panzanella with Burrata
The bread salad gets a summertime upgrade with peaches! Add in juicy tomatoes if you got 'em too.
Get the Peach Panzanella with Burrata recipe.
Baked Peaches
These baked peaches are roasted low and slow to bring out all their natural sweetness. That means, even if your peaches aren't perfectly ripe, they'll still be super delicious. Topped with a big scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, we can't imagine a better warm weather dessert. 😍
Get the Baked Peaches recipe.
Frozen Bellini
Uses your frozen peaches to make these frozen bellinis all summer (and, okay, fall too) long. Using frozen fruit instead of ice makes your cocktails smooth and creamy, and helps keep them from getting watered down.
Get the Frozen Bellini recipe.
Spiced Pork Tacos with Avocado Crema and Peach Salsa
The avocado crema on this is the real star, but the peach and shallot salsa is what'll keep you coming back for more.
Get the Spiced Pork Tacos with Avocado Crema and Peach Salsa recipe.
Peach Pie Pops
If a full size pie seems outside your grasp, make these adorable mini pie pops instead! Handheld means these are also great for an outdoor BBQ when you don't to deal with plates and forks.
Get the Peach Pie Pops recipe.
Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Peaches and Arugula Salad
Sweet peaches are the perfect complement to juicy pork tenderloin and peppery arugula. The Chinese 5 spice is a wonderfully surprising addition to the meat, but if you don't have it you can substitute with garam masala or a combo of cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and ground cloves.
Get the Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Peaches and Arugula Salad recipe.
Grilled Peach Sundaes
Underripe peaches are the worst — unless they're grilled. Over the flame, they get deliciously charred and caramelized. Top with vanilla ice cream and caramel for the perfect summertime dessert.
Get the Grilled Peach Sundaes recipe.
Crustless Peach Pies
This low-fuss dessert takes everything we know about hasselbacking potatoes, and turns peaches into an easy low-carb dessert.
Get the Crustless Peach Pies recipe.
Fireball Peaches
First came drunken strawberries. Next came prosecco grapes. Makes sense that fireball peaches would be up next!
Get the Fireball Peaches recipe.
BBQ Chicken with Sweet Chili–Peach Glaze
We double the peachy goodness here with peach sweet chili sauce AND grilled peaches alongside our chicken thighs. This is the sweetness your BBQ's been missing.
Get the BBQ Chicken with Sweet Chili–Peach Glaze recipe.
Angel Food Shortcake
Store-bought angel food cake makes this come together SO fast — it's the perfectly divine mix of homemade and not.
Get the Angel Food Shortcake recipe.
Grilled Peach S'mores
It's no secret we love s'mores. Here we paired the classic with smoky-sweet grilled peaches for an extra-juicy take on our favorite summer dessert.
Get the Grilled Peach S'mores recipe.
Dijon Grilled Pork Chops with Tomato-Peach Salad
This is like the perfect summer trifecta: grilled meat, sweet peaches, and juicy tomatoes. SO simple, SO good.
Get the Dijon Grilled Pork Chops with Tomato-Peach Salad recipe.
Sweet Tea Sangria
White wine, sweet tea, and triple sec combine to make this Southern-inspired sangria that's perfect for porch sipping.
Get the Sweet Tea Sangria recipe.
Peach Upside-Down Cake
The secret to the best ever upside down-cake? Bourbon caramel. This boozy caramel tastes especially amazing with peaches, and is super easy to make! You're really just melting brown sugar with butter and bourbon and letting it bubble for a minute.
Get the Peach Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Peach Roses
Use store-bought puff pastry and peach jam to turn out these sweet desserts in no time!
Get the Peach Roses recipe.
Mini Upside Down Peach Cobblers
Cooking these mini cobblers in a muffin tin creates a delicious caramel layer on the bottom that, once flipped, makes a beautiful topping. Serve these babies warm with some whipped cream for the cutest individual desserts.
Get the Mini Upside Down Peach Cobblers recipe.
Peaches & Cream Pound Cake
This Greek yogurt and peaches pound cake is a MUST for summertime brunch. To push the "cream" even further, drizzle it with a glaze made of powdered sugar and a little milk.
Get the Peaches & Cream Pound Cake recipe.
Flatbread with Peach, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella
Who wants to deal with rolling out pizza dough when you can use store-bought naan?
Get the Flatbread with Peach, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella recipe.
Sunshine Daydream Smoothie
Strawberries and peaches are a summertime match made in heaven. This has coconut water in it too, making it the perfect breakfast after a night out.
Get the Sunshine Daydream Smoothie recipe.
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