NATIONAL PEACH ICE CREAM DAY
Fast Facts
- WHEN
- Celebrated each year on July 17th
- VIBE
- Celebrates an ice cream day that sweetens the summer heat at the peak of peach season
- STAT
- Food psychology show that people think peach ice cream tastes better when it has a warm, peachy hue
- FOUNDED
- The exact founder remains a mystery, but is strategically placed in the middle of National Ice Cream Month
NATIONAL PEACH ICE CREAM DAY
National Peach Ice Cream Day on July 17 sweetens the summer heat with a few scoops right at the peak of peach season. Because peaches begin peaking in July, this celebration arrives at the perfect time. Plus, it lands right in the middle of National Ice Cream Month, making it an excellent time to add a fresh, seasonal fruit flavor to your frozen treat rotation.
#PeachIceCreamDay
Peaches and dairy share a unique scientific bond. Both contain organic compounds called lactones, which give them their distinct fruity and creamy aromas. This is why they pair together so flawlessly on a chemical level!
Two Types of Peaches
Freestone Peaches
The meat comes away freely and cleanly from the stone or pit in the middle.
Clingstone Peaches
The sweet flesh clings tightly to the pit.
While Georgia may be the first state to come to mind when we think of peaches, California actually leads the nation in production. In fact, 20 states total produce peaches commercially in the U.S.--South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington rounding out the top growers.
Peaches and dairy share a unique scientific bond. Both contain organic compounds called lactones, which give them their distinct fruity and creamy aromas. This is why they pair together so flawlessly on a chemical level. In fact, studies in food psychology show that people think peach ice cream tastes better when it has a warm, peachy hue. Because fresh peach purée results in a mostly off-white base, many master churners add a tiny drop of yellow and red food coloring to make it look as vibrant as it tastes.
We already know this sweet stone fruit makes delicious ice cream when it's very ripe and full of peachy juices. However, you don't have to use fresh peaches to make this ice cream. Buy frozen peaches if the grocery or farmer's markets don't have them in yet. The family will love making homemade ice cream together. The best part will be eating up the finished product on a hot summer day.
Did you know?
Peaches belong to the Rosaceae (rose) family, making them close cousins to almonds, plums, and cherries. This botanical connection explains the delicate, perfumed aroma of a perfectly ripe peach.
Peaches make incredible ice cream when they're very ripe and full of juices. Grab your ice cream maker make yourself the ultimate batch.
To avoid messy peeling, cut a shallow "X" on the bottom of the peaches. Blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds then transfer them immediately into straight into ice water. The skins will slip right off! After the peaches have cooled in the ice bath, puree 75% them to create a smooth, velvety, pastel base. Dice the remaining 25% into tiny bits to fold in at the very end so every scoop contains frozen, juicy bites.
If fresh peaches aren't available at your local market yet, don't worry! Frozen peaches work beautifully and you get to skip the pealing steps!
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PEACH ICE CREAM DAY
Whether you want to keep it simple or host a neighborhood gathering, celebrating this delicious food holiday will be as easy as eating ice cream!
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Invite your friends and neighbors over for a backyard social. Provide a variety of options for them, such as cones, toppings, and glazes.
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Visit a local peach festival! A festival is a great place to find freshly churned batches of peaches. Check your local community and state events to find one near you.
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Head out to a local ice cream parlor to support small businesses. Let them know you're celebrating National Peach Ice Cream Day!
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July and August are also prime time for regional agriculture, making it the perfect excuse to take a road trip to a local orchard or summer
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Be sure to share your delicious scoops on social media using the hashtag #PeachIceCreamDay!
NATIONAL PEACH ICE CREAM DAY HISTORY
While the exact founder of National Peach Ice Cream Day remains a mystery, its strategic placement on July 17 is pure culinary genius. The day sits right in the heart of National Ice Cream Month, which was officially established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Because July marks the peak harvest for fresh, juicy stone fruits, combining the two celebrations became a natural, grassroots summer tradition.
