Pêcher

A small fruit tree originating from China, the peach tree is known for its delicious and juicy, white, yellow or pink fruit with a velvety or smooth skin. After reaching Persia thanks to the silk route, it then conquered Europe and in particular France where it was grown in the gardens at Versailles. Here, thirty or so varieties were created for Louis XIV, a great lover of the fruit with its many symbols and virtues. According to Chinese legend, the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) had peach trees in her orchard which flowered every 3,000 years and produced peaches which could make those who ate them immortal. Today in China and even in Japan, its flowers are still associated with fertility and love, and more generally with fidelity and virginity. The tree has fine, dentate leaves which have a subtle almond fragrance and its sap was used in the Middle Ages to reduce dark spots on the skin.