Press Releases
A Toast to California Peaches, Plums and Nectarines
6/1/2003
Adding fresh summer fruits to cool beverages means great taste and more health benefits
REEDLEY, Calif. - There's nothing like a cold, fruity beverage on a hot summer day, especially when it's made with fresh summer fruits like California peaches, plums and nectarines - and these drinks are good for you too.
The health benefits of fruits and vegetables have been well documented for many years. In 1991, the National Cancer Institute, along with the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), launched the 5 A Day for Better Health program to encourage people to include at least five servings of fruits and vegetables in their diets every day.
The trick, of course, is finding easy, delicious ways to include produce in meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the day. Pat Baird, R.D., a nutrition expert and cookbook author, says it's easier to get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day than many people think, especially during the summer months.
"The key to healthful eating is to find ways to incorporate healthy foods, like peaches, plums and nectarines, into meals and snacks throughout the day," Baird says. "Some people only eat certain fruits and vegetables whole and/or raw, for example, when they could use them in a variety of different ways, including diced on a salad or ice cream, grilled and served with chicken or beef, or sliced and served in an icy cold drink. Variety is very important, both for good nutrition and to keep meals interesting."
Baird is the author of a new brochure called "Hot Tips for Healthful and Colorful Summer Eating." The brochure is based on a new PBH health initiative called "5 A Day: The Color Way." That program, launched last fall, emphasizes the importance of eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables for optimum health. The Color Way is an expansion of the original 5 A Day program. The new message encourages people to eat for color for maximum nutritional benefit. The program categorizes fresh produce into five color categories: Blue/Purple, Yellow/Orange, Red, White, and Green. Produce in each category provides different nutrients and health benefits to the body.
During the summer, Baird says, a fun way to boost your produce consumption is to add sliced fruit to drinks - lemonade, iced tea or club soda, for example. Other suggestions include:
Freezing puréed fruit in ice cube trays and serving with lemon-lime soda or lemonade
Adding fresh peaches or nectarines to fruit punch or juice
Whirring fresh plums with vanilla yogurt for a tasty smoothie
Using fresh fruit in sangrias, daiquiris and margaritas
"During the hot summer months we tend to take in more liquids to keep hydrated. Adding sliced peaches, plums or nectarines is a great way to help you on your way to eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day," she says. "The other great thing about these summer fruits is that, depending on the varieties, peaches, plums and nectarines may be found in each of the five color categories. Not only will you be eating more fruit, you'll be covering your color bases as well."
Baird's brochure, along with offering tips for incorporating fruits and vegetables into the diet, includes tips for protecting your skin from the inside out during the summer; information on shedding weight healthfully and sensibly; strategies for keeping your stomach satisfied with high fiber, low calorie foods; and choosing, handling and ripening California peaches, plums and nectarines. The free brochure is available through the California Tree Fruit Agreement's Web site, www.eatcaliforniafruit.com, or by mail at "Hot Tips," CTFA; P.O. Box 968; Reedley, CA 93654-0968.
Following are some recipes made with California peaches, plums and nectarines, available May through October:
Fresh Fruit Sangria
Makes 4 servings
Light, refreshing and packed with flavor, this is the perfect drink for a summer barbecue or beach party. Be prepared to make extra!
Ingredients:
1 fresh California peach (yellow or Summerwhite®)
1 fresh California nectarine
1 fresh California plum
1 cup raspberries
1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris, chilled
Method:
Rinse fruit; remove pits from the peach, nectarine and plum and slice thinly. Place all fruit, including the raspberries, into the bottom of a large pitcher and pour chilled wine over the fruit. When serving, use a spoon to place a small amount of fruit into each glass. May be made ahead; keep covered and chilled in the refrigerator.
Peachy Keen Iced Tea
Makes 5 servings
Try adding naturally sweet sliced Summerwhite® peaches to jazz up your iced tea this summer. Refreshing and eye-catching, it's also a fun way to enjoy these delicious summer fruits. When brewing your iced tea, use loose-leaf tea instead of bags for more fully developed flavors and aroma.
Ingredients:
4 cups freshly brewed iced tea
Sugar (optional)
2 fresh California Summerwhite peaches, sliced thinly
Mint leaves
Method:
Pour tea into glasses over ice and sweeten with sugar, if desired. Add 6 to 8 peach slices to each glass, and garnish with mint leaves.
California Fruit Cubes
Makes 18 cubes
Who needs plain old ice cubes when you can add flavor, color and valuable nutrients to your summer drinks with these cubes made with California peaches, plums and nectarines? Add to lemonade, lemon-lime soda, club soda or sparkling water for a refreshing, delicious twist.
Ingredients:
3 cups fresh California peaches, plums or nectarines, pitted and sliced*
1 tablespoon lemon juice
* Approximately 4 peaches or nectarines, or approximately 8 plums
Method:
Combine fruit and lemon juice in a blender and purée. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.