Peaches, known as the queen of summer fruits, are in season. This year, continued warm weather and reduced damage from pests and diseases have increased production, and consumers are expected to enjoy peaches at lower prices than in previous years.
According to the Agriculture Outlook Center of the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) on the 16th, peach shipments this month are expected to increase 15.7% from the same period last year. As shipments rise, prices are projected to be about 20% lower than a year earlier.
◇ A fruit that drives away spirits and brings longevity
In Taoist mythology, there is a story of a mysterious peach grown by Xiwangmu on Mount Kunlun. It is said that this peach tree flowers and bears fruit only once in thousands of years, and eating the fruit grants immortality.
Peaches also appear in Japan's representative folktale "Momotaro." The story tells of an elderly woman doing laundry in a river who found a large peach floating downstream, brought it home, and when the peach was split open, a baby boy was born from inside.
In Korea, peaches were also believed to have the power to ward off spirits and disease. The Sejong Sillok (Veritable Records of King Sejong During the Chosun Dynasty: 1454) records that to prevent epidemics, people bathed every full moon in water boiled with finely chopped peach branches.
As peaches came to be seen as a fruit that repels spirits, some traditional ancestral rites developed a custom of not placing peaches on the ritual table, on the grounds that they could even drive away the spirits of ancestors.
It is presumed that peaches have been cultivated on the Korean Peninsula since ancient times. In Miryang, South Gyeongsang, peach pits estimated to be about 3,000 years old were excavated. Peaches are also recorded as a major fruit in the Joseon-era geographical treatise "Sinjeung Donggukyeoji Seungnam" and the agricultural text "Haedong Nongseo." In particular, Haedong Nongseo introduces nine varieties, including "Modo."
◇ Jochiwon peaches, 118 years of history
Sejong Jochiwon, Eumseong in North Chungcheong, and Janghowon in Icheon, Gyeonggi, are considered Korea's representative peach-producing regions. Among them, Jochiwon boasts a modern peach cultivation history spanning 118 years.
Peach farming in Jochiwon began in earnest in 1908. The Gwoneop Model Farm, the predecessor of the Rural Development Administration, established a fruit test plot in Bongsan-ri, Jochiwon-eup, and conducted trial cultivation of peach varieties imported from Japan. As the varieties grown at the test plot spread to nearby farms, Jochiwon grew into a nationwide peach-producing area.
Currently, about 600 farms in Jochiwon produce roughly 2,000 tons of peaches annually.
The Gyeongbu Line's Jochiwon Station also played a major role in spreading Jochiwon peaches' reputation nationwide. Because peaches soften quickly after harvest and lose marketability, rapid transport is crucial. The main production areas of Jochiwon-eup and Yeonseo-myeon are close to Jochiwon Station, enabling peaches to be shipped quickly to Seoul and major cities across the country.
Even now, wholesalers specializing in peaches continue to operate in the market in front of Jochiwon Station.
◇ How to enjoy them deliciously and safely
Peaches have a high water content, making them a good snack during the sweltering summer. They contain dietary fiber, which can help with regular bowel movements, as well as vitamins and potassium.
Their refreshing aroma and sweet taste are popular with people of all ages. The flesh is soft, so even older adults with weak teeth can eat them relatively comfortably.
However, for some people, substances in the peach fuzz or flesh can trigger allergic reactions. If your lips or mouth itch or swell after touching or eating peaches, or if you develop hives or have trouble breathing, stop consuming them and seek medical attention.
It is better to wash peaches just before eating rather than washing them in advance and storing them. Because the skin is thin and the water content is high, they can soften and spoil more easily than other fruits.
When washing, there is no need to rub the surface hard. Gently rub with your hand under running water to remove dust and fine fuzz before eating.