History and Tradition of the Cieza Peach

Cieza is currently the world's leading municipality in peach production. This tradition, far from being recent, dates back eighteen centuries. Plant remains belonging to the 3rd century AD found in the Cueva-Sima de La Serreta demonstrate the consumption of peaches in our town at the time of the Roman occupation. At the Islamic site of Siyâsa (11th-13th centuries) peach pits were discovered, which shows that this fruit tree was also cultivated during the time of Muslim domination. These data suggest that the cultivation and consumption of peaches have been a constant throughout this time, being common in cultures and times so different and so far apart in time.

Currently, the peach is very present in the culture and life of Ciezanos. The vast majority of the inhabitants of Cieza have participated and actively participate in the harvesting (“the catching”) of this fruit. Either professionally, possibly during the height of the campaign or helping a family member or friend. On a small private farm or on a large farm.

Every summer morning hundreds of Ciezanos bring life to the population from a very early hour. They wait at the door of a bar, next to a recognizable store, on any corner, to be picked up and taken to the countryside to start the day.

Those who, overcoming the high temperatures and overcoming the ravages of effort, achieve that the Ciezano peach harvest can be carried out again each year deserve recognition.