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[debcakes]

Can any of my fellow peach lovers teach me how to choose good peaches. I bought a relatively small amount from the grocery a couple of weeks ago and they were ok. By the time I knew they were ok, they did not have more. Then I bought a larger amount when they had them in again and most turned out to be very fibrous and not very sweet. Some in the batch were very good. Now, I had selected them all from the same bin at the store. Is there anyway to judge a peach when picking them out?  I am tired of buying so many bad ones.

Thanks. I know some of you have much more experience. I do not live in s peach growing area.

[ValuSkr]

I stopped buying supermarket peaches because they were so bad / a waste of money.  Peaches from local farm markets are better but very expensive.  Oh well, can't have it all.

[nana59]

i've given up on trying to buy good peaches....you can never go wrong with nectarines...in fact, i had a delcious one today.....

[chickenbutt]

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@nana59 wrote:

i've given up on trying to buy good peaches....you can never go wrong with nectarines...in fact, i had a delcious one today.....

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Ooh, I also love nectarines.   Like peaches, somewhat, but without the fuzz.  I don't like the fuzz, so when I set out to eat a peach I cut into sections and remove the skin.

As for selecting peaches - I don't know a lot except that I look them over.  I go for the little bit of softness (not squishy, but not hard either) and no soft spots on it.  I probably also smell the top (where the stem was).  A nice, fresh, and ripe one should smell like it.   The smell of peaches - best ever!

[ruthbe]

Exactly....softness, not squishy.  And definate smell of fresh peach.  If no smell, not ripe.  And hard not ripe. 

[doxie1]

I avoid buying them at the store because I do not know if they are shippers or not. I try to buy when they are in season locally. A family member has a peach farm so I have picked many peaches and nectarines. You have to be careful picking a soft one because they are very sensitive fruits to bruising. When you get them locally they may control who gets to handle them. Take them home and put them on a newspaper for a few days and they are so good. I like the freestone ones better.

I have to laugh because as a  child I went and asked for some shaved peaches. I did not like the fuzz and wanted nectarines! Now I just peel the peaches. They are good in so many things. My favorite is probably just eating them or making a peach bourbom cobbler and of course peach ice cream.

I love peach season.

doxie

[doxie1]

I meant to add that peaches that are grown locally are  picked ripe even though they seem hard. The goal is to pick some that are firm ripe and some that are finger ripe. If your hold them between your thumb and index finger and gently squeeze it as if it were an egg. If it gives any it is finger ripe and if it does not it is firm ripe. They will ripen more. You can speed it up with a sliced banana in the bag with them.

Color of peach should be bright and it should smell peachy. The peaches are picked like this so they will make it to the produce stand or store.

doxie

[software]

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@doxie1 wrote:

I meant to add that peaches that are grown locally are  picked ripe even though they seem hard. The goal is to pick some that are firm ripe and some that are finger ripe. If your hold them between your thumb and index finger and gently squeeze it as if it were an egg. If it gives any it is finger ripe and if it does not it is firm ripe. They will ripen more. You can speed it up with a sliced banana in the bag with them.

Color of peach should be bright and it should smell peachy. The peaches are picked like this so they will make it to the produce stand or store.

doxie

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I agree with Doxie

When you find one you like, remember the name.

I like Freestone peaches.

Georgia & Alabama grow wonderful  peaches and I'm spoiled.

Where do you live?

I find that the early peaches are not as sweet as the later peaches.

@debcakes

[fthunt]

Same problem here and when you get the peach with the pit that refuses to release.  I end up with smashed peach and juice all over my hands.  Major issue - stores don't post a name for their peaches - just says Maryland - GA or some other place.  My memory isn't that good 12 months later (for the new peach season)

I THINK    GA are the best.

[sunshine45]

if you have a sams club close by you may find some good ones there.  i have been able to buy california peaches over the past couple of weeks. they have been excellent. firm, but with some slight give, no bruises, very sweet and juicy.....and the smell of them is wonderful.

i am anxiously waiting for our MARYLAND peaches to ripen.