Sapa peaches: Sweet flavor from Northwest mountain clouds

1 Some details about Sapa peaches

In the early days of spring, when dew still lingers on the grass, all the streets of Sapa are lit up by the pink color of peach blossoms. By March and April, the flower petals begin to fall, revealing clusters of young green fruits. In the summer of May and June, people are busy harvesting ripe Sapa peaches, bringing with them the sweet flavor of the Northwest mountains and forests.

Every Lunar New Year, ancient Sapa peach trees are bought by traders and brought to the streets to show off their beauty in lowland houses. However, many villages still preserve precious peach varieties as part of the memory, an unforgettable beauty of this land. Sapa peach lovers always look forward to the ripe fruit season to have the opportunity to taste the cool sweetness that is hard to match anywhere else.

Along Highway 4D, from Trung Chai commune to the town center, everywhere you can see peach blossoms cascading like small pyramids, covered in pale pink. Sapa peaches are only as small as a tea cup, the skin is as smooth as down, crunchy when bitten, with a slight sour taste and a gentle fragrance. Because of that rustic beauty, people affectionately call them “Sapa furry peaches” – the quintessential gift of the mountains and forests.

Holding a peach in hand, everyone suddenly feels regretful about not having the heart to bite into it, because they are afraid of losing something precious that nature has given them. But when you taste it, the sweet taste spreads and lingers in your throat, as if gathering the scent of Sapa’s mountain sky in each fiber of the fruit.

Sapa peaches are not only a sweet fruit, but also a cultural symbol and the pride of the Northwest people. If you have the opportunity to pack your suitcase and visit Sapa in the summer, don’t forget to enjoy the plump pink peaches to fully feel the sweetness of heaven and earth and the love of people here.

2 Some great benefits when eating Sapa peaches

In a fresh peach weighing about 147g, your body will absorb valuable natural nutrients: 50 calories, 0.5g fat, 15g carbohydrates, 1g protein and 13g sugar, containing absolutely no salt or cholesterol.

Small but rich in nutrients, each peach meets about 15% of daily vitamin C and 6% vitamin A needs. In addition, this fruit also contains vitamins E, K, B3, along with iron, zinc, folate, phosphorus and copper, minerals necessary for the body’s vital activities.

When enjoying Sapa peaches, in addition to the natural sweet taste, you can also receive benefits such as:

Helps stabilize cholesterol

Phenolic compounds in peach meat have the ability to control bad cholesterol and stimulate the production of good cholesterol, thereby supporting a healthy heart and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Purifies the body, supports the liver and kidneys

Sapa peaches are a rich source of potassium, which helps reduce inflammation and the risk of kidney stones. When combined with vitamins in peaches, potassium also enhances liver activity, promoting the process of eliminating toxins. Drinking a glass of peach juice every day not only cools the body but also helps cleanse the liver, kidneys and intestines naturally.

Reduce inflammation and pain

The natural phenolic content in Sapa peaches acts as a benign anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce muscle pain, joint pain and soothe damage in the body. This is especially effective for people who often exercise or do heavy work.

Prevent cancer:

The active ingredients lutein, lycopene and antioxidants in Sapa peaches have the effect of destroying free radicals. Research shows that eating 2 peaches a day can reduce the risk of mouth, lung, breast and colon cancer, helping the body stay healthy from the inside.

Protect healthy bright eyes

The beta-carotene precursor in peaches converts into vitamin A, an essential nutrient that helps maintain vision and prevent macular degeneration, night blindness and cataracts. Not only is it good for the eyes, beta-carotene also supports smoother and more youthful skin.

Enhance natural resistance

Each Sapa peach contains abundant amounts of vitamin C and zinc, which are very good for the immune system. Eating peaches regularly helps the body fight seasonal pathogens such as colds, flu, coughs or mild fever. Thanks to that, you can always maintain a healthy state and be full of energy despite the unpredictable weather changes.

Healthy, beautiful, radiant skin

Peaches are the skin’s “best friend” as they contain a series of valuable nutrients such as vitamins A, C, K, magnesium and selenium. These active ingredients not only protect the skin from UV rays but also help soothe sunburned skin.

A little tip: crush the peach flesh, apply it directly to your skin for about 30 minutes, you will feel your skin cool and noticeably recovered. Besides, thanks to its high antioxidant content, peaches also help brighten skin tone, prevent acne and reduce dark spots.

Supports healthy digestion

With natural alkaline properties, peach juice neutralizes stomach acid, soothes feelings of bloating, nausea and reduces discomfort caused by digestive disorders. When constipated, just a cup of cool peach juice will help clean the intestines, stimulate bowel movements to work more effectively, bringing a feeling of relief and comfort to the body.

3 Tips for choosing delicious Sapa peaches

Unlike many peach varieties in other regions, Sapa peaches are quite small in size, only 3 – 5cm in diameter. This type of peach is grown in high mountains, where the climate is cool all year round, so the outside of the shell is often covered with a layer of soft fluff. When picking them, people have to wash them thoroughly many times to remove all this hair.

The appearance of Sapa peaches is not as “flashy” as other lowland fruits. When young, the fruit is light green, with a slightly pink bottom; When ripe, the skin color turns yellow or dark red, looking extremely natural and rustic. It is that rustic feature that creates a very unique beauty, like the simple but charming Northwest land and sky.

The taste of Sapa peaches is as special as the climate here. When raw, peaches are crispy, succulent and slightly sour, with a pleasant sour taste, not harsh. When ripe, the flesh turns yellow, the sour taste is stronger but mixed with a little sweetness on the tip of the tongue, making it difficult for anyone who has tried it once to forget.

Because they are not chemically treated, Sapa peaches can only be preserved for about 5-7 days after being picked. Therefore, when choosing to buy, you should prioritize fruits that fit your hand, have tight skin, and are not crushed. Try it. In case when choosing to buy, you see that the peaches have soft flesh even though the skin is still beautiful, it is a sign that the peach has been left for a long time or has been sprayed.

4 Some notes when eating peaches in Sapa

To maximize the benefits of peaches, you need to eat them properly and with the right people. Here are a few important notes when eating peaches:

Do not eat too much if you are bleeding

Peaches have a neutral nature, a slightly sweet and bitter taste, helping to stimulate digestion but are not suitable for people with nosebleeds, menorrhagia or wounds that have not yet healed. Eating too much can make bleeding worse.

People who are sick, weak, have fever or sore throat should limit it

When the body is weak and the digestive system is poorly functioning, eating Sapa peaches containing fiber and natural acids will easily cause bloating, indigestion, stomach pain, and prolonged fatigue.

People with “hot” constitutions should stay away

If you often experience symptoms such as dry mouth, acne, rashes, nosebleeds or skin allergies, eating peaches can make your body hotter, making the symptoms worse.

5 How to eat peaches without peeling them but still safe

When enjoying fresh Sapa peaches, most people choose to wash off the outer layer of fluff and then eat the peel to preserve the natural flavor. However, there are also many people who peel the skin carefully before eating because of concerns about dirt or skin irritation. Although this method is safe, it wastes the fruit’s flesh, causing the peaches to easily crumble and lose their inherent succulence. So what is the most scientific and correct way to eat peaches?

First, you just need to hold the peach with both hands, then use your thumb to gently separate the skin from the groove in the middle of the fruit. When done properly, the thin crust will peel off without damaging the meat inside.

However, to peel the skin more easily, you should apply the “little secret” of gourmets which is to soak Sapa peaches in hot water for about 10-15 seconds, then immediately put them in cold water for 5 minutes. Sudden changes in temperature will cause the skin to separate from the flesh, making it easy to peel off without using it

6 Update Sapa peach prices

The market price of Sapa peaches currently ranges from 50,000 to 60,000 VND/kg for fresh, high-quality peaches, harvested directly from the garden and transported the same day. For regular or early ripe peaches, the price will be softer, only about 30,000 VND/kg, suitable for those who want to enjoy the typical flavor of the highlands without being too expensive.

Among countless highland products, Sapa peaches always retain their rustic, sweet, simple and profound features. Perhaps, that is what makes everyone who has brought a suitcase to come and taste it with a little nostalgia for this land.