In the city of Veria, northern Greece, the air is now bustling with activity as peach growers begin collecting their peaches in the harvest season. This is a time of celebration for the region of Imathia, renowned for its high-quality fruit.
Greek peaches are prized for their sweet and slightly sour taste, juicy texture, and aromatic qualities. Beyond their deliciousness, they are also a healthy choice, rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A, and are considered beneficial for digestion due to their alkaline content. A typical peach (around 260 grams) contains approximately 58 calories, 2.3 grams of fiber, and 1.36 grams of protein.
Peach cultivation is one of the most important agricultural sectors in northern Greece, with the harvest season running from late May to late September. Producers typically pick the fruit just before it’s fully ripe to ensure it withstands transportation and storage, assessing ripeness by size, color, aroma, and flesh consistency.
“For us, the peach harvest is truly a celebration in Veria and our surrounding villages. As the Veria Tourism Group, we’re dedicated to showcasing this incredible fruit through local products and tourism,” Yianna Pilitsidou, President of the group, told Greek Reporter.
“Our goal is for every business, from patisseries to restaurants, to infuse the peach into their offerings – whether it’s in a sweet treat or a fresh salad. We’ve largely succeeded, ensuring that visitors can savor our peaches in countless ways,” she added.
“When you’re here during harvest, you’ll see the sheer scale of it: massive platforms laden with peaches, tractors ferrying them to cooperatives where they begin their journey to consumers throughout Greece and worldwide,” Pilitsidou said.
These top-tier Greek peaches are widely cultivated and exported to many European countries, with Russia being a major recipient. Thousands of people in Imathia work in this vital agricultural sector, making peaches one of Greece’s most successful export products.
Months before the harvest, every spring, typically between late February and mid-March, the Imathia region transforms into a breathtaking spectacular quilt of hot pink and vivid green due to the blossoms of its famed peach trees. This stunning sight, often compared to Japan’s cherry blossoms, is one of the world’s best-kept secrets, especially from the foothills of Mount Vermio.
Veria, the capital, embraces this natural wonder with a two-week festival dedicated to the blossoms. This year’s festivities included a heart-shaped balloon flying over the plains and a “High in the Blooms! Peach Trees & Hot Air Balloons Photo Contest,” attracting hundreds of photographers. The city itself, located on the eastern foothills of the Vermio Mountains, is Greece’s largest forest-owning municipality and a hub for fruit production.
Inspired by Japan’s successful tourism promotion, Imathia residents are actively promoting the annual blooming of their treasured peach trees. This adds to the region’s existing appeal as a popular winter destination, home to two of Greece’s best ski resorts, Seli and 3-5 Pigadia.
A yearly 17-kilometer “Bicycle Ride Through the Flowering Peach Trees” also offers a unique way for participants to admire the spectacular display. This beautiful event lasts for approximately twenty days, showcasing Imathia’s natural beauty and its deep connection to the peach.
Related: A Piano Concert Among Greece’s Blooming Peach Trees
