1. How do I select the best peaches?
Peaches can be enjoyed at any stage of ripening. Depending on your preference for firm, soft or somewhere in-between fruit. The softer the fruit becomes, the sweeter and juicier it will be when eaten. Peaches are very fragrant when they are ripe.
2. How do I know when the peaches are ripe?
The red blush of a peach is beautiful, but it doesn’t indicate ripeness. A uniform yellow background color with no green around the stem and a fragrant aroma are the qualities to look for when judging ripeness in peaches.
3. How do I store peaches at home? Do they go into the refrigerator?
Peaches need to ripen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate firm fruit –the temperature will stop these fruits from ripening. Store peaches on the kitchen counter so they will reach your optimum preference for firmness. When the peaches are fully ripened or past maturity, then they may be placed in the refrigerator or even frozen for later use.
4. When will the freestone peaches come in?
Peaches are either clingstone or freestone. This term refers to how easily the flesh separates from the pit. Freestone peaches are available starting in mid-June. All mid and late season peach varieties harvested in SC are freestone peaches.
5. Where can I find recipe ideas or information about growers?
Visit scpeach.org for simple, delicious recipes and detailed information about the growers in South Carolina.
6. Is it true that SC produces more peaches than Georgia?
Yes. South Carolina averages more than three times the amount (in pounds) of peaches harvested in Georgia in a typical season. Georgia is known as the peach state because commercial peach production began in Georgia, and many known varieties were hybridized there, including ‘Elberta’.
