Peach Facts, Picking Tips and Recipes
In the U.S., Peaches typically peak during
late June through July in the South, and July and August in the North. In order to produce
good local peaches, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions,
and no late frosts.
Before you leave to go to the farm:
- Always call before you go to the farm - Peaches are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
-
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON! -
Most growers furnish picking containers designed
for peaches, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring
containers.
If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Peaches more than 14 inches deep will bruise the fruit on the bottom. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. -
Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can
work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the
sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring
along if it has been rainy. - You might want to ask whether the peaches are! There are two major types of peaches: "Freestone" and. "Clingstone". Freestone peaches and nectarines have flesh that slips easily away from the pit. Clingstones are a REAL pain, because the fruit tenaciously clings to the stone or pit! Most peach varieties grown today are freestone and are usually available (depending upon your location) from June through September. Some nectarines are freestone and some are clingstone. Freestone nectarines are available in June and July. Most plum varieties are clingstone.
When you get home
- Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or damaged fruit to use immediately.
- Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and freeze them up!
- Even under ideal conditions peaches will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
- Now, get ready to make Peach jam or canned peaches - It is VERY easy - especially with our free jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy and our page on how to make home canned peaches from fresh! Or see here to freeze peaches instead!
- Here are some great and easy peach desert recipes!
How to tell if the peaches are ripe!
- Attached to the tree: Peaches are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn't ripe! Peaches will not ripen further once removed from the tree (they only "soften")
- Color: Green is definitely unripe, but you can't use red color as an indicator of how ripe a peach is. Different peach varieties have differing amounts of red blush in their natural coloring. Pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow, orange, red (or a combination). The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white.
- Softness: unless you like your peaches very firm, pick your peaches with just a little "give" when gently pressed. Peaches at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Peaches won't ripen very much after picking!
- Odor: It should smell sweet and ripe!
Tips on How to Pick Peaches
A peach is softer than most fruit, so it is important to pick a peach gently,
with little pressure. Using the
sides of your fingers rather your fingertips helps to avoid bruising. Grab the peach
firmly and pull it straight off the branch. DON'T drop the peach into the
basket, but set it in gently!
Marks on the Peachs: Bugs (particularly squash bugs and stink bugs) bite fruit during development and this results in some imperfections in the peach. This is especially the case with organically raised fruit. These look like dents in the peaches if the peaches were bitten by a bug when they were young. This causes a spot that does not grow properly and makes a wrinkle in the peach. There's nothing wrong with these peaches. They may look funny, but they will taste just as good as blemish-free peaches, and it's better not to have the pesticides!
How much do you need?
- About 2 medium peaches = 1 cup sliced peaches.
- About 4 medium peaches = 1 cup pureed peach.
- About 3 medium peaches = 1 pound of peaches
Nutritional Information
peaches
Delicious and Nutritious
a delicious
&
natural
treat10g 0 g 0 m 0 mg 1.5 g 47RE
- peaches are virtually fat free. A medium size peach contains less than one gram of fat.
- peaches are naturally sodium free.
- peaches have no cholesterol.
- peaches are a low calorie snack. A medium size peach contains only 40 calories.
- peaches contain vitamin A which helps us see in dim light.
- peaches are considered a good source of fiber. The skin of a peach provides both roughage and fiber.
Temporary Storage Tips
- Ripe peaches have a creamy or golden undertone and “peachy-sweet” fragrance.
- Peaches should be refrigerated and used within a few days.
- Putting peaches and nectarines in a loosely closed paper bag at room temperature for a day or two can help soften firm fruit - but they won't become sweeter or ripen further - that stopped when they were removed from th etree.
- For best flavor, allow the fruit to ripen fully on the tree.
- Store at 33°F to 40°F and high humidity (a vegetable drawer in the fridge).
Preserving the fruit
- For canning directions,
See
my page
on how to make home canned peaches
from fresh! It is really SO easy!
- Freezing Peaches
See
my page on how to freeze
peaches, plums, nectarines, figs and cherries. Even easier than canning
and they will taste just like fresh.. but it does take up space in the
freezer.
- Peach butter
If
you like apple butter and you like peaches, you'll LOVE this
easy peach butter recipe,
complete with canning instructions, so you can make them now and give them
away at Christmas time!
- Spiced Peaches
A traditional Southern favorite, canned spiced peaches!
- Peach Cobbler
This recipe is easy and DELICIOUS!!!
Substituting Frozen or Canned Peaches for Fresh
In most recipes, frozen or canned peaches can be substituted for fresh peaches. The frozen and canned peaches have already been sweetened; therefore, the amount of sugar called for in a recipe will have to be adjusted. Also, the peaches should usually be drained before using.
For the kids!
How to plant a peach pit (also works with nectarines and apricots). If you save a peach pit you can grow your own fruit tree.
- Clean the pit and store it in the refrigerator in a plastic bag until September or October.
- Place the pit about five inches beneath the soil surface.
- In the spring, your tree will start to grow and should be visible by July!
- Keep the tree watered and fertilized (fruit tree spikes from Wal-Mart, HomeDepot, etc.) and you'll have fruit in 2-3 years!
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