Peaches are a juicy and versatile fruit that is in season from late spring until September.
Full of antioxidants and other nutrients, peaches are one of the tastiest summer fruits that you can consume raw or cooked.
PICKING PEACHES: SMELL
When shopping for peaches, make sure you smell the fruit. Once picked, peaches continue to ripen. At peak ripeness they will have a sweet, peachy fragrance.
PICKING PEACHES: TOUCH
Next, gently press the peaches shoulder and tip (where the stem was). If the peach has a a slight give, it’s perfectly ripe. If the peach is mushy, it’s overripe.
PICKING PEACHES: LOOK
Slight wrinkly skin near the tip indicates the peach is perfectly ripe. Keep an eye out for a round fruit. A peach becomes more round as it ripens.
PICKING PEACHES: COLOUR
Peaches should have vibrant tones and colours. Look for a creamy gold to yellow colour. Green undertones indicate underripe fruits. The red of a peach is where it got sun exposure.
STORING PEACHES:
Peaches will continue to ripen at home.
To maximize longevity, store peaches:
- At room temperature
- Stem side down
- In a single layer to avoid bruising
