Georgia peaches, of course! And a whole lot of fried foods, I am guessing. When my aunt moved south to Griffin, Georgia, a little quaint southern town just outside of Atlanta, both my mom and I were excited to visit from Michigan. We were looking forward to trying some of that southern comfort food – especially the fried chicken for me. It did not take my aunt long to adjust to Georgia weather, way of living and eating – she’s a big lady and loves to eat.
Below are some of the types of food we all tried within her first months of living in the “deep South.” In fact, let’s hear from the experts. According to The Food Network:
- “Peaces
- Pimento cheese
- Boiled peanuts
- Vidalia onions
- Meat & Three (meatloaf, fried catfish, country fried steak and smoked turkey on offer, though the fried chicken, made from a time-honored recipe, is by far the most popular meat. Pair it with your choice of (3) sides including macaroni and cheese, fried okra, collard greens, squash casserole, green beans)
- Barbeque
- Chicken and dumplings
- Pecan pie
- Fried chicken
- Fried green tomatoes
- Georgia wild shrimp
- Fried apple pies
- Fried okra
- Blueberries
- Fried chicken biscuit
- Pralines
- Coca-Cola
- Deviled eggs
- Trout
- Sweet tea,”.
Normally, I would consider myself somewhat of a foodie, but I have to be honest here – I did not know some of these foods were from Georgia. For example, I only buy Vidalia onions, and I had no clue they were from Georgia. Or even pimento cheese; I assumed that was an Italian thing! Being from Michigan, I assumed we were the blueberry state, but apparently, Georgia is among the top three states that produce blueberries.
In fact, Michigan is not number one, but Washington is. From The World Population Review, they show:
“Blueberry Production by State (measured in Tons)
- Washington 90,000
- Oregon 75,500
- Georgia 43,250
- California 37,250
- Michigan 36,450
- New Jersey 21,000
- North Carolina 17,850
- Florida 13,250,”.
Wow, that is a ton of blueberries! (haha)
What weather is Georgia known for?
With all of these wonderful foods and crops, what must the climate be like in Georgia to produce and export these goods? Since Georgia is a large state, we’ll keep our focus near the Atlanta region.
Expert scientists at The National Weather Service say that the climatology of North Georgia (excluding the mountains) is like, “The area experiences all four seasons. Summers typically consist of long spells of warm and humid weather. Average afternoon high temperatures are in the upper 80s to around 90. Readings of 90 or higher can be expected on 30 to 60 days. Overnight lows usually range from the middle 60s to lower 70s.
Temperatures during winter months are more variable. Oftentimes, stretches of mild weather will alternate with cold spells. Winter high temperatures average in the 50s. Lows average in the mid to lower 30s. Lows of 32 degrees or lower can be expected on 50 to 70 days.
Spring and Autumn seasons are characterized by much variability from day to day and from year to year. The average date of the first freeze in the autumn is in late October. The average date of the last freeze in the spring is in early April.
Precipitation – A measurable amount of rain falls on about 120 days each year, producing amounts averaging between 50 and 55 inches. As for snowfall, the average annual total is 1 or 2 inches in the northern counties. Usually this snowfall occurs on just one or two days.
Averaging over many years, the driest months are September and October while the wettest month is March. Thunderstorms are common in the spring and summer months. On a typical year, thunder will be heard on 50 to 60 days,”.
When my cousin moved from Michigan down to the Florida Keys, I helped him drive down with all of his life’s possessions and his three dogs, also known as “family,” we drove through Atlanta. First of all, there was so much traffic – even more than we see in Detroit. Second and most notably, it was snowing during the month of March! I always enjoy it when it snows in the South because I get to tease my family members who supposedly left Michigan because it was too cold. I digress.
The ever-changing weather in Georgia might surprise newcomers or visitors who aren’t familiar with the Southeast’s dynamic climate. While its summers are hot and humid, often laced with afternoon thunderstorms, there’s a certain charm in how the state transitions through seasons.
With lush springs full of blossoming dogwoods and crisp autumns colored by vibrant foliage, Georgia offers a diverse array of climate experiences. When planning outdoor activities, it’s wise to note that heavy rain can cause brief disruptions, especially in the spring when thunderstorms are common. This variance in weather is key to the state’s agricultural success, supporting crops like peaches and peanuts. So, whether you’re a fan of sun-drenched days or the occasional snowfall surprise, Georgia’s climate certainly keeps life interesting and diverse throughout the year.
Professional sports teams in Georgia
I remember when I was a little girl (ok, I am about to date myself), cable television was a new thing, and we used to get a whole lot more channels included in the basic subscription. TBS (Turner Broadcasting System) was known as the Atlanta channel, and we would watch the Brave’s baseball team. Furthermore, the other popular teams in Georgia are the Atlanta United soccer team, the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, the Atlanta Falcons are the football team, the Atlanta Dream is the women’s professional basketball team, and Georgia Swarm is their indoor lacrosse team, to name a few.
And just for kicks, since we’re reminiscing about cable television, here are some of the first national cable networks:
- HBO
- TBS
- CBN
- CNN
- MTV
- NICK
Besides watching the Atlanta Braves baseball on TBS, we watched Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock on HBO, 24/7 news on CNN for my grandparents, MTV for all the great music videos coming out, NICK or Nickelodeon for us kids, and my mom’s favorite 1960’s reruns later on in the day when it switched to “Nick at Night,” and lastly, CBN with all the televangelists, which we did not watch.
What food is Georgia known for?
Overall, Georgia is famously known for its rich culinary offerings, from delectable peaches and fried chicken to vibrant pimento cheese and hearty pecan pie, reflecting the state’s warm hospitality and diverse agricultural bounty.
