Troy Warren for CNT

NATIONAL PEACH ICE CREAM DAY

National Peach Ice Cream Day on July 17th sweetens the day with a few scoops at the peak of peach season.

Since peaches begin peaking in July, this celebration comes just in time. It also lands right in the middle of National Ice Cream Month. So, it’s an excellent time to add peach ice cream to the growing list of flavors to choose from when it comes to frozen, creamy treats.

Generally speaking, there are two types of peaches – freestone and clingstone. The difference has to do with how the flesh comes away from the stone or the pit in the middle of the peach. When the meat comes away freely from the stone, the peach is a freestone peach; if the flesh clings to it, it’s a clingstone.

While Georgia may be the first state to come to mind when we think of peaches, California actually leads the nation in production. In the United States, 20 states produce peaches commercially. Besides California and Georgia, the other two top producers are South Carolina and New Jersey. Pennsylvania and Washington grow a lot of peaches, too.

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.

HOW TO OBSERVE #PeachIceCreamDay

Grab your ice cream maker and invite your friends and neighbors over for an old-fashioned ice cream social! Give this homemade peach ice cream recipe a try. If you need tips for picking fresh peaches visit Frog Hollow for an easy guide to the best peaches.

You can also visit an ice cream parlor and order a dish or cone. Don’t hesitate to add sprinkles or some pecans.

Share your own on social media using #PeachIceCreamDay.