How to Tell When a Peach Is Ripe For Eating

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a fresh picked tree ripened peach!  Of all our crops, peaches are probably the most difficult to tell when they are ready to pick.

Here are some tips to tell when a peach is ripe and ready to be eaten:

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 for many varieties. 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!

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- it will result in bruising!

It is the right color
A ripe peach has a dark yellow color. It’s not necessarily red, 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.

It is the right shape
A peach becomes round as it ripens.

Here are some additional peach tips:

• Be gentle with the peaches, they bruise easily.
• Peaches can continue to ripen at home. It’s best to leave them on a counter apart from the other peaches and on their shoulder (not on the bottom) away from direct sunlight. Check to see if they have softened by feeling them gently. When they are soft, they are ready to enjoy.
• To slow the ripening process, put them in the fridge where they should keep for 5 days.

Categorized in: Peaches

This post was written by Parlee Farms