Melocotón de Cieza, the peaches of Cieza

5000 hectares of peaches are planted in Cieza

The most important element of Cieza´s gastronomy and agriculture is undoubtedly the peach.  

The quality of its aroma and taste give peaches from Cieza a unique identity.  This is the most important product produced in the municipality and it is the biggest, all year round creator of employment, involving  laborious processes of production and collection, most of which has to be undertaken manually.Cieza has 5.000 hectares dedicated to peach production. which makes it the municipality in Spain with the biggest surface area of peaches, generating more than 100,000 tons a year.  

The production of all these peaches has an additional side benefit: La Floración. During the spring period from roughly the beginning of March through to mid –April, a succession of plantations burst into blossom, painting the landscape around Cieza pink and white with sweet smelling blossom. During this season the council run a series of guided walks and routes so that visitors and photographers, can come along and enjoy the sheer beauty of the municipality during this season. See what’s on for more details about La Floración ( Click for la Floración ) during this 6 week period.

Peaches from Cieza have unmistakable characteristics such as their: aroma, texture, taste and resistance to transportation.  These characteristics are determined by the following:

Climate: Temperature range (cold in winter and warm in spring), the large number of sun hours throughout the year and absence of rain during ripening are major influences on the excellent quality of the fruit.

The Segura River: It runs through the municipality irrigating the meadow full of fruit trees.  As is traditional in Cieza, the irrigation channels that run from the Segura River’s banks extend and irrigate areas of the municipality planted with peaches.  The river’s waters favour the firmness of the fruit, improving the quality and uniqueness of the peaches.

Agricultural tradition: A long tradition in the production of fruit, with specialised producers, that cultivate and collect the fruit with passion and care so that it arrives at consumers in the best possible condition.

The area produces a lot of varieties of different peaches, with small differences in taste, firmness and colour that distinguish them whilst maintaining a similar quality.  This crop has a season of four months a year due to the different ripening times of the varieties.  Fresh peaches are available from May to September and the preserved version all year round.

There are multiple ways of enjoying peaches from Cieza, many of which you’ll find on offer in the bars and restaurants of the town throughout the year.  Although it is mainly consumed as fresh fruit it can also be used in cooking for jams or desserts (some of which are only from Cieza such as peaches in wine) or as a garnish or accompaniment of main dishes.  Its high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and the benefits it provide make it a suitable and healthy product for all ages.

But best of all, come and enjoy a walk through the fruit farms during La Floración.