Peach Blossom Spring
The arrival of spring in Georgia was heralded by a brilliant array of blooms on the peach trees, like those seen in this photo taken at Pearson Farms in Fort Valley, GA. The delicate pink blossoms aren’t only an indicator of the sweet fruit to come, they are also a symbol of renewal and vitality, and are believed to represent of love and well-being. This is especially true in Chinese culture, where the concept of an ideal world is called a “peach blossom spring.”
That term originated from a short fable known as “The Peach Blossom Spring,” written in 421 CE by philosopher and poet Tao Yuanming. In his tale, a fisherman unexpectedly discovers an ethereal utopia hidden away from the harsh realities of the modern world. In this flowering paradise, people lived an idyllic existence in harmony with nature. The reference has inspired paintings, poetry, and expanded to other cultures as well. For instance, the use of the word “peach” to describe an attractive woman can be traced back to 1754 in English or American use. Around the early 1900s, the term was used to denote a good person. By the 50s, things were “peachy keen” or “just peachy.”
But what does that have to do with us here in the Golden Isles? Well, to start with, Georgia may never have become the Peach State without us. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, when Franciscan monks first introduced peaches here on St. Simons Island and Cumberland Island, it was in 1571, before the colony was even established. By colonial period of the 1700s, the fruit was being widely cultivated in Georgia. After the Civil War, when Georgia growers developed hardier peach varieties and were able to transport them, the state earned its reputation as the Peach State.
While Georgia no longer holds the title of top peach-producing state in the U.S., it ranks in the top four, along with South Carolina, California, and New Jersey. Peach, Macon, Crawford, and Taylor counties are the predominant growers in the state. In the heart of Peach County is Pearson Farm in Fort Valley, dubbed “Georgia’s Peach City.” Here on the island, we’re lucky enough to get Pearson Farm peaches when the GA Peach Stand opens for business in select times during the summer. We eagerly look forward to the days when our local restaurants roll out their fresh peach culinary creations, from peach chutney in dinner specials to peach milkshakes and other sweet treats. Specialty peach cocktails are the taste of summer in a glass. But we’re jumping ahead of ourselves by eagerly anticipating the goodness to come in those warmer months. Right now, our focus is the arrival of spring and the blooms it brings.
