Stone Fruits

How to pick a peach?​

1. Place the palm of your hand on the bottom of the peach, and gently grasp it with your fingers.

2. Using the sides of your fingers rather than your fingertips helps to avoid bruising.

3. Gently lift the peach toward the branch as you tip the peach. Be careful not to twist the peach or the delicate skin can tear easily.

4. Do not squeeze the peach or it will cause bruising/brown spots. It is important to pick a peach gently, with little pressure.

How to tell when a peach is ripe?

1. A ripe peach should not have any green blush on the back side.

2. A ripe peach should be slightly soft to the touch.

3. Peaches will continue to ripen after being picked. It is ok to pick a slightly firm peach, "on the green side" or underripe if you don't need it for a few days.

4. To ripen a green-picked peach simply leave it on your counter at room temperature. 

5. To accelerate ripening, place the peach in a brown paper bag with the top rolled shut.