Flat peach
The flat peach (Prunus persica var. platycarpa), also known as the doughnut peach or Saturn peach, is a variety of peach with pale yellow fruit that is oblate in shape.[1]
Flat Peach | |
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Saturn Peaches | |
Variety | Prunus persica var. platycarpa |
Origin | China |
Description
Saturn peaches are flatter than fruit of more popular peach varieties. Their skin is yellow and red, and they are less fuzzy than many other peaches. The inside of the Saturn peach is pale yellow to white in appearance.
They are harvested in late spring through the end of summer.[2]
Saturn peaches are usually sweeter than other peaches, but still have a recognisable peach taste. They are said to be more complex-tasting and flavorful, often described as possessing undertones of almond.[3]
Other names
They are known by many other names, including doughnut peach or donut peach,[4] paraguayo peach,[5] pan tao peach, saucer peach, flat peach, belly-up peach, UFO peach, Chinese flat peach,[5] hat peach, anjeer peach, custard peach, wild peach, white peach, pumpkin peach, squashed peach, bagel peach or pita peach.
History
The flat peach originated in China, where it is known as pántáo (Chinese: 蟠桃; lit. 'coiled peach'). The fruit made a significant appearance in the 16th-century novel Journey to the West, in which the Jade Emperor tasks Wukong to take charge of the Pan Tao Yuan ('Coiled Peaches Garden'). Later on, Wukong eats most of the rarer species of fruit in the garden and gains eternal life.
The Saturn peach was introduced to the United States from China in 1871.[4]
References
- Woys, William. "'Saturn' Peaches". MotherEarthNews.com. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- "Donut Peach | Harvest to Table". Harvestwizard.com. 2008-05-27. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- Tabitha Alterman October/November 2006 (2009-08-27). "Top 10 Reasons to Try a Donut Peach". Motherearthnews.com. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- Zoe Williams (2009-07-15). "Doughnut peaches the new craze | Life and style". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- "Doughnut-shaped peaches hit shops". bbc.co.uk. 28 July 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2017.