Heaven for the senses—discover new twists on this old favorite
Best to buy
Peach season is at its peak from June until the end of September.
Cut & clean
Thoroughly rinse the soft, velvety skin immediately before eating. Easily remove the pit by
slicing from top to bottom and giving a slight twist.
Power food
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C.
Also indexed as: Donut Peach, Elberta Peach
Preparation, uses, and tips
You can slice, poach, candy, dry, cook, can, or freeze peaches. To peel peaches, blanch
them in boiling water for a few seconds, then plunge them into cold water until they are cool
enough to handle; the skin will slip right off. Add them to yogurt,
ice cream, fruit salads, tarts, or breakfast
cereal. Peaches work well as the single fruit in cobblers, pies, turnovers, crepes,
sorbets, soufflés, jams or jellies, marinades, and juiced. Spiced peaches make an
excellent side dish with winter meals. Peaches can also be distilled in brandy and
liqueurs.
Buying and storing tips
Peach season is at its peak from June through September. Aromatic, slightly soft or
semi-firm red and yellow peaches with velvety skin are best. Avoid fruit that has a green hue
or that feels very hard, as it will not ripen. Bruises can accelerate and reveal spoilage. Use
ripe peaches as soon as possible, or store them for three to four days at room temperature or
in the refrigerator. Wash peaches only immediately before serving to preserve the integrity of
the fruit.
Varieties
Although numerous varieties of peaches are grown, they are often categorized according to
the way the flesh of the fruit is attached to its pit. Clingstone peaches have flesh that
clings firmly to the pit, while freestone peaches allow the pit to separate easily from the
fruit. The most popular variety of peach is the Elberta (a freestone); it makes up about half
of the peach harvest. Some of the newer varieties of peaches on the market today include a
peach with creamy white-flesh, and a short, rather flattened variety called a Donut peach;
both have excellent flavor.
Nutrition Highlights
Peach, 1 large (raw)
Calories: 67.5
Protein: 1.1g
Carbohydrate: 17.4g
Total Fat: 0.14g
Fiber: 3.1g
*Good source of: Vitamin C (10.3mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular
nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good
source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily
Value.