Nothing says summer like biting into a plump, juicy peach from your local market -- or, if you're lucky enough, picked fresh from the tree!

Peaches have been around for thousands of years, and were first grown in China before being cultivated in Europe and brought to North America. In Canada, peaches are grown mostly in Ontario and British Columbia, where warmer climates are optimal for the sweet peach between late July to September.

When buying peaches, choose fruit with a firm, soft flesh - and (if you don't eat them all right away!) refrigerate fully ripe peaches for up to a week.

Take a pick from our selection of peach recipes and enjoy succulent Canadian peaches before the season ends!

Juicy peach recipes

Peach Schnappsicles
Relive childhood's summer joy with an added adult twist: frozen fruit treats with a slightly boozy boost. Each recipe makes more than 2 cups/500 mL liquid, enough for about eight frozen delights.

Peach Crisp
This crumble-topped fruit dessert contains less than half the sugar and fat of a traditional crisp. For the best flavour and texture, use peaches or nectarines that are fully ripe but still firm.

Niagara Peach Sangria
Serve this potent punch in clear glasses so that you can see the glistening fruit.

Wine-Poached Peaches
This light fruit dessert is perfect with sponge cake and low-fat frozen yogurt. Use these peaches for Lightened-Up Peach Melba.

Lightened-Up Peach Melba
Nowadays, even opera singers are trying to be svelte, so one can imagine Dame Nellie Melba appreciating this lightened-up version of the 19th-century dessert named after her.

Peach Cheesecake
Whether from the Annapolis or Okanagan valleys or the Niagara Peninsula, Canada's especially sweet and flavourful peaches make summer even better. 

Peachy Plum Galette
This fast-and-easy free-form pie can also be made with either peaches or plums. For the pastry, a packaged pie crust mix is fine.

Fruit Salad with Chat Masala
Use assorted fruit such as cubed honeydew, cantaloupe or watermelon; peach, mango or nectarine; banana, kiwi, apple or pear slices.