The Sweet Tradition of Southern Peaches
There are certain flavors that announce the arrival of summer in the South. Once summer is in full swing, our kitchen counter is continuously overflowing with bunches of ripening tomatoes, baskets of blackberries, and shiny green watermelons. But perhaps most iconic of all is the perfectly ripe peach, still warm from the sun.
Peach season is one of those fleeting joys we look forward to every year. For a few short weeks, roadside stands fill with baskets of fresh fruit, cobblers make their way into family meals, and it’s impossible to leave a farmers' market without taking home a basket of peaches.
Here in northern Alabama, peach season isn't just a harvest . . . it's a Southern tradition. And for Piper & Leaf, it's a tradition that has been tied to one special farming family since our very first year in business.
A Farmers Market Friendship
Long before Orchard Peach became one of our most-loved blends, we were just getting started at the Greene Street Market in downtown Huntsville. Those early market days were filled with exciting ideas, long hours, and lots of conversations with fellow farmers and makers. The possibilities for our little tea stand felt joyfully overwhelming!
One of the things that has always been important to us is sourcing local ingredients whenever possible. We love knowing where our ingredients come from, and even more than that, we love knowing the people who grow them.
Around that time, Caleb had an idea for a summertime peach tea. He wanted something that captured the sweetness and nostalgia of a Southern summer, but to do that, he needed exceptional peaches. Fortunately, Scott's Orchard happened to be right there at the market.
While Caleb was dreaming up new blends, Connor was doing what he does best - wandering the market, meeting farmers, hearing their stories, and building relationships. What began as a conversation at neighboring market booths quickly became a partnership that has lasted ever since. And more than a decade later, we're still using peaches from Scott's Orchard in our teas every year.
A Tea Inspired by Summer
Orchard Peach started with the simple idea of capturing the taste of a fresh Southern peach in a cup of tea. Not an artificial peach flavor, but the real thing: the tantalizing, juicy fruit that arrives each summer and somehow never stays around long enough.
When local peaches from Scott's Orchard became available, the vision started coming together. The result was Orchard Peach, a blend that has become a favorite for customers looking for a taste of summer any time of year. Whether enjoyed hot on a cool morning or poured over ice on a sweltering Alabama afternoon, it remains one of our favorite ways to celebrate peach season.
The Peaches Behind the Tea
When the peaches begin ripening around June, we receive large batches from Scott's Orchard. From there, our team washes, chops, and dehydrates the fruit so it can be blended into tea throughout the year.
Those peaches eventually find their way into more than one Piper & Leaf favorite. They're a key ingredient in Orchard Peach, of course, but they also help give our beloved summer seasonal, Sweet Dixie, its bright and fruity character.
Of course, not every peach makes it to the dehydrator. When a fresh batch arrives, it's hard not to set a few aside for ourselves. There's simply nothing quite like a juicy Alabama peach on a hot summer afternoon. Sweet, fragrant, and dripping with juice, it's one of summer's simplest pleasures--and one we're always happy to revisit.
A Family Orchard with Deep Roots
Scott's Orchard is located in Chilton County, Alabama, an area long known for producing some of the finest peaches in the South. The Scott family has been farming for generations, building a reputation for quality fruit and a deep commitment to Alabama agriculture. Like many family farms, their story is one of hard work, patience, and a willingness to adapt from season to season while continuing traditions that have been passed down through the years.
Today, visitors can stop by the orchard to purchase fresh fruit, enjoy seasonal offerings, and even participate in pick-your-own peach experiences during harvest season. There's something unforgettable about walking through an orchard and picking fruit straight from the tree. It offers a glimpse into the care and effort that goes into every peach long before it arrives at a farmers' market, kitchen table, or tea blend.
Bringing Summer to Your Teacup
One of the things we love most about tea is its ability to preserve a season. Peach season arrives with excitement every year, but it never seems to last quite long enough. Before we know it, the harvest is over and we're already looking ahead to the next summer.
Thankfully, those peaches don't disappear entirely. Whether you prefer the peach-forward sweetness of Orchard Peach or enjoy the bright fruit notes woven throughout Sweet Dixie, every cup begins with the same thing: hardworking farmers, a successful harvest, and relationships that have grown over many years.
So, if you find yourself craving the taste of summer, we encourage you to do two things. Visit Scott's Orchard while peach season is in full swing and brew a glass of your favorite peach-filled tea. We guarantee that either option will sweeten your summer!
