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Who makes peaches and cream?

Peaches and cream is a classic summertime treat that combines the sweet juiciness of peaches with the rich creaminess of heavy whipping cream or ice cream. But have you ever wondered where peaches and cream comes from and who makes this tasty dessert? In this article, we’ll explore the origins of peaches and cream and look at how it is produced and sold commercially today.

Where do peaches come from?

Peaches are stone fruits that originate from China. They have been cultivated there for over 4,000 years! Peaches were brought to North America by Spanish explorers in the 16th century and first planted in Florida. Today, peaches are grown commercially in warm regions of the southern and western United States, including California, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.

According to the USDA, the top peach producing states are:

California 544,000 tons
South Carolina 74,500 tons
Georgia 37,200 tons

The United States produces over 1 million tons of peaches per year. Peaches are harvested in the summer months between May and October depending on the variety and region. Popular peach varieties include Elberta, Redhaven, O’Henry, and White Lady. Fresh peaches are highly perishable and are best consumed within a few days of picking.

Where does the cream come from?

There are two main types of cream used in peaches and cream: heavy whipping cream and ice cream. Heavy whipping cream is a high-fat dairy cream that whips up into soft peaks when beaten. Ice cream can be any flavor but vanilla pairs well with peaches. Here is some background on each type of cream:

Heavy Whipping Cream

Heavy whipping cream contains at least 36% milk fat. It is pasteurized and sold refrigerated in liquid form. To transform it into whipped cream, the cream is chilled thoroughly and then whisked or beat with an electric mixer until it forms stiff peaks. As air is incorporated, the cream increases in volume and takes on a light, fluffy texture.

Heavy whipping cream is produced by dairy farms across the U.S. The dairy cows are milked daily and the raw milk is transported to a dairy processing plant. The cream is separated from the whole milk and pasteurized. It is then packaged into cartons, bottles, and plastic tubs for retail sale.

The top producers of whipping cream in the U.S. are:

California 21% of national production
Wisconsin 15%
New York 5%

Ice Cream

Ice cream is a frozen dessert made from cream, milk, sugar, and flavorings. To make ice cream, the dairy ingredients are pasteurized and homogenized and additional ingredients like fruits, nuts, and chocolate are added. This mixture, known as ice cream base or custard, is churned as it freezes to incorporate air and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.

The top ice cream producing states are:

California 904 million gallons/year
Pennsylvania 282 million gallons/year
Florida 240 million gallons/year

Many large ice cream brands like Breyers, Ben & Jerry’s, and Blue Bell operate production facilities across the country. Ice cream is sold pre-packaged in tubs and cartons or hand-scooped at ice cream shops.

How is peaches and cream produced commercially?

During peach season in the summer months, food manufacturers ramp up production of peaches and cream products to meet demand. Here are some of the ways peaches and cream are produced commercially:

Canned Peaches

Canning peaches allows them to be enjoyed year-round. Peaches are washed, peeled, pitted, and sliced before being heated and sealed in cans. Sugar or syrup is often added. Popular brands like Del Monte can millions of cans of peaches each year in the U.S.

Frozen Peaches

Frozen peach slices and diced peaches are available commercially. Peaches are packed into bags or cartons and quickly frozen after harvesting to preserve freshness. Major frozen fruit brands include Dole and Wyman’s.

Jarred Peach Spreads

Peach jam, preserves, and fruit spreads are made by cooking peeled, pitted peaches with sugar and pectin. These peach spreads are hot packed into glass jars and sealed for preservation. Well-known brands include Smucker’s and Welch’s.

Dried Peaches

Dehydrating peaches creates shelf-stable dried peach slices and bits. Peaches are sliced and placed on drying racks in special dehydrators that gently remove moisture. Popular brands are Sunsweet, Terrasoul, and Bella Viva Orchards.

Peach Pie Filling

Peach pie filling contains peaches processed into slices or chunks in a sweetened juice or syrup. It can be used to make quick and easy peach pies and cobblers. Common retail brands are Comstock and Lucky Leaf.

Peach Ice Cream

During peach season, ice cream makers produce seasonal peach ice cream. Chopped peaches are added to the ice cream base before freezing to create the flavor. Breyers, Blue Bell, and Turkey Hill are leading manufacturers.

Peach Yogurt

Peach yogurt contains pureed peaches blended into the yogurt. Brands like Dannon, Yoplait, and Stonyfield make peach yogurt using fresh peach puree or peach jam.

Peach Smoothies

Smoothie producers make peach smoothies by pureeing fresh or frozen peaches with yogurt or milk in a blender. Naked, Odwalla, and Smoothie King are popular brands selling peach smoothies.

Where can you buy peaches and cream desserts?

There are many places you can buy ready-to-eat peaches and cream desserts and products:

  • Grocery stores – fresh peaches and whipping cream, canned peaches, frozen peaches, peach yogurt, peach pie filling
  • Farmers markets – fresh picked peaches and local cream
  • Bakeries – peach pies, tarts, crumbles, crisps
  • Ice cream shops – peach ice cream, peach sundaes
  • Coffee shops – peach smoothies, frappes, peach whip
  • Restaurants – peach cobbler, peach melba, peach cake

You can also easily make peaches and cream at home. Simply slice fresh, ripe peaches and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, ice cream, or yogurt. Add a sprinkle of brown sugar or cinnamon if desired. Making your own allows you to control the quality of ingredients. And you can enjoy seasonal peaches at their peak!

Conclusion

Peaches and cream is a beloved summertime dessert with origins tracing back to China. Today, peaches are grown in warm regions of the southern and western U.S. while cream is produced by dairy farms across the country. Food manufacturers offer an array of convenient store-bought peaches and cream products when fresh peaches are in season. But you can also make this classic pairing at home with high quality, seasonal ingredients. However you choose to enjoy it, peaches and cream is a tasty treat that brings back fond summer memories.