The Latin name of the peach is "Prunus persica" - in English "Persian apple". For a long time it was believed that the juicy stone fruit came from Persia, today's Iran. But its original home is much further east.

Peach has been known in China for 4000 years

The delicious stone fruit has been cultivated in southern China since 2000 BC. cultivated. From the evaluation of archaeological excavations we know that the cultivation of a cultivated peach from the wild varieties began around 6000 years ago. In China, the peach is still considered a symbol of immortality. The Taoist goddess Xiwangmu lived on the sacred Mount Kunlun, the seat of the gods, where according to religious legends, three peach groves bear fruit only every few thousand years, giving the gods their immortality.

From Persia to Central Europe

The peach first came to Persia about 1000 years ago. From here, commercial travelers first brought the sweet fruit to Greece and then to Central Europe. France was the first European country to cultivate the Chinese "fruit of immortality". The peach has also been cultivated in Germany since the 19th century.

Old cultivars from Germany

Old peach varieties bred in Germany are ideal for growing in your own garden. These fruits are used to the harsher climate and higher rainfall.

  • Anneliese Rudolph (bred near Dresden in 1911)
  • Early Red Ingelheimer (bred around 1950)
  • Proskauer Peach (Silesia, 1871)
  • Kernechter vom Vorgebirge (Red Ellerstädter, around 1870)
  • Pilot (1971)
  • Record by Alfter (bred in the 1930s)
  • Miracle of Perm (bred in the Urals, brought by German emigrants about 200 years ago)

main growing areas today

Nowadays, peaches are mainly grown in the warmer regions of the world, with the sweet fruits no longer only coming from China and Central Asia, but also from the USA, Italy, France and Southeast Europe. In Germany, the aromatic stone fruit is mainly cultivated in various wine-growing regions.

  • Palatinate
  • to bathe
  • Rhenish Hesse
  • Dresden Elbe Valley
  • Stendal
  • Werder

tips and tricks

The vineyard peach is also one of the oldest peach varieties in Germany. This rarity is particularly aromatic, but less sweet. The variety is also known under the names Moselle vineyard peach, red or white vineyard peach and vineyard peach.

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