All About Peaches!

Sweet summer peaches are fleeting and these tips and tricks from our friends at Titan Farms help you make the most out of peach season!

How to tell when a peach is ripe and ready to eat:

1 – It has a sweet smell

When a peach gives off a sweet aroma, it’s a good sign that it’s ready to be enjoyed. No smell usually means no taste. On a warm, sunny day you should be able to smell the fruit just by standing near it. The scent can be impossible to resist!

2 – It is the right color

A ripe peach has a dark yellow background. It’s not necessarily red as that’s simply the color that comes from direct sun exposure. If the peach is green or even has any hint of green left on it, it needs more time on the tree. A green peach is certainly edible but it’s not going to be as sweet and juicy.

3 – It is slightly soft

If the peach is firm to the touch, it’s not ready. Wait until there is some “give” when it is gently squeezed. Never squeeze too hard as it will result in bruising.

4 – It is the right shape

A peach becomes more round and plump as it ripens.

Peach storage & handling tips:

How to store peach

If your peaches are very firm and don’t have much aroma, leave them on the counter apart from the other peaches on their shoulder to let them ripen at room temperature away from direct sunlight for a couple of days. To keep ripe peaches from going bad, pop them in the fridge, they should keep for up to 5 days. You can also slice and freeze fresh peaches to use later.

How to freeze peaches

To start, take a sharp knife and make a shallow “X” at the bottom of each peach. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, blanch your peaches in water for 60 seconds and then plunge them into a bowl of ice water for 60 seconds. After that, peel off the skins, halve and pit the peaches. In a saucepan, make a thin syrup with four parts water and two parts sugar. Dissolve the sugar and let the syrup cool.

How to thaw peaches

One way to thaw peaches is to place the frozen peaches into the refrigerator and allow it to defrost. This will typically take anywhere from 6-8 hours, and you’ll want to turn the bag over every so often for an even thaw.

If you need your peaches sooner, keep them in their bags. Submerge the bag in cool water, which will act as a natural heater. The plastic bags will help preserve the flavor and texture of your peach slices. Check the fruit and change the water every so often until the peaches reach the desired consistency. Keep in mind that the USDA recommends not having sliced peaches out in temperatures above 40 F for longer than two hours.

Tips & tricks provided by Titan Farms.