The peach is one of the most popular fruits worldwide, having migrated to the West from China (where it was discovered in 1000 BC). In China, brides bring peach blossoms on their wedding day. The ancient Romans called this fruit the "Persian apple," and the peach tree was spread to North America on the ships of Christopher Columbus. This fruit is delicious, simple, and available anywhere. You can learn to pick ripe peaches and eat them raw or cooked.
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Part 1 of 3: Picking Peaches
Step 1. Buy peaches when they are in season
The best peaches are peaches that are locally grown and picked when they are most ripe, when they are ready to fall from the tree. Depending on where you buy peaches, the exact time of season will vary. In the US, peaches are traditionally picked during the summer months, but are picked from different places from April to October. In America, the peach season in which it grows is:
- Florida: April-May
- California: May-September
- Georgia: May-August
- South Carolina: May-August
- Michigan: July-September
- New Jersey: July-September
- Idaho: August-October
- Chile: November-April
Step 2. Look for ripe peaches
Peaches are best bought when ripe, then eaten within 2-3 days. Store-bought peaches are usually unripe, but will ripen, so keep them out of the sun at room temperature for 3-7 days. If the peaches are refrigerated, the ripening process will stop, so it's best to place them in a paper bag when they're at the ripeness level you're looking for.
- Choose peaches that feel heavier than they look. This is a sign that the fruit is dense with juice.
- Don't squeeze the peach to see if it will "come back". Ripe peaches will return to their original shape if you squeeze them, but will leave a mark, which will cause them to rot quickly.
- Ripe peaches usually have a strong odor on the stem, although some types of peaches will smell stronger than others.
Step 3. Learn about the different types of peaches
Peaches have been around for about 3,000 years and there are hundreds of different types of peaches grown all over the world. In western countries, most peaches grow with a yellow-orange flesh, and in Asian countries peaches tend to be white.
- What kind of peach is the best to eat? The answer is all kinds of peaches grown locally. Local peaches are usually fresher and contain more water, as they are more fragile than peaches which need to be machined for transportation.
- The famous Georgia peach is the “Elberta” variety. Other common types grown commercially in the US are the June Lady, Flavorcrest, and Red Top.
- All peaches are “clingstone” or “freestone” peaches, depending on whether the seeds “stick” to the flesh or not. There are also several types of hybrids.
- “melt” peaches are typical of the clingstone variety, and are usually sold commercially for eating. When ripe, “melt” peaches will contain a lot of water, as if the flesh had melted. “unmelted” peaches will be tougher, and peaches It is usually used in cans.
Step 4. Store peaches well
When you get a few peaches, remove the stems and store them with the stem ends facing down, in a cloth wrap that allows the fruit to breathe to aid in the ripening process. Cotton or linen napkins work well in the ripening process of peaches. Cover the peaches with cheesecloth to make the peaches ripen. Place in the refrigerator, loosely wrap in a paper bag, or just release when the meat starts to get a little mushy and smells good.
- Once refrigerated, peaches usually need to be eaten within a few days. The fruit becomes overripe in less than a week. Never store peaches in a sealed plastic bag. This can cause the fruit to rot quickly.
- If you want to freeze peaches, you can usually do a quick blanch, then peel off the skin with a knife and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight freezer bag.
Part 2 of 3: Eating Raw Peaches
Step 1. Wash the peaches before eating
Always wash your peaches in clean water and scrub the skin gently with your hands or with a vegetable brush, just before you are ready to eat or prepare them. This will help to remove dirt and bacteria, as well as pesticide residues.
- Wait until just before you eat it before washing it. Wet fruit before putting it in the refrigerator can make the fruit rot quickly and bacteria to grow.
- Peach rinds are edible, but you can also remove the skin with a paring knife if you don't like the texture. Although peach skins are rich in phytonutrients and fiber, most people don't like them because they are downy skin.
Step 2. Eat peaches like eating apples
What is the best way to eat peaches? Just bite and let your chin wet. You can eat them all, except for the hard seed in the middle.
- Try cutting the peach in half, twisting the knife around the seed in the center, then turning gently to free both sides. Remove the seeds and eat every half of the peach without having to worry about biting into something hard.
- One of the nice things about ripe peaches is their juicy texture. Some peaches may contain a bit of excess water, so be careful not to stain your clothes. Take a handkerchief or paper towel to wipe off any water droplets.
Step 3. Slice into wedges
Use a small fruit knife to slice from the stem to the tip of the peach, working your way down through the seed in the center. Pull both sides in half, then cut each half piece into three or more pieces, depending on how big your peach is. This is a great way to snack on fresh peaches.
- Try sprinkling your peaches with a little cinnamon or brown sugar for an added kick. The fresh cream is also a special addition.
- If you have very ripe clingstone peaches, they may be a little tough to split. You'll end up crushing them and having a hard time moving the individual pieces if the fruit sticks to the seeds.
Step 4. Mix the peaches cut into cubes or slices into the yogurt or soft cheese
For adding a little texture and sweetness to your yogurt, cubed peaches are a great candidate. Apart from the probiotic properties of yogurt, you will have fruit that is high in iron, potassium, vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and various phytonutrients. Besides that, it tastes delicious too.
Really want to try something new? Add sliced peaches to a bowl full of vanilla ice cream. It tastes so delicious
Step 5. Add peach slices to the smoothie mixture
Smoothies are made better with a bit of peeled peaches, helping to add flavor and sweetness to your drink. For a simple breakfast smoothie involving peaches try these:
- Mix equal parts skinless peaches and milk in a blender over ice (two cups each will make a good serving). Add a third of the orange juice and honey, for flavor.
- Additional ingredients include yogurt, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, chia seeds, peanut butter, or raw oats.
Step 6. Use the sliced peach cubes as a topping
Peach cubes can be added to some cereals and some mixes for other sweet dishes. Try putting a little peach on:
- Granola or other breakfast cereal
- Wheat porridge
- Cream of wheat (cream of wheat)
- Polenta or hominy grit
- Muesli
Step 7. Make the Bellini
You want a delicious peach drink for the summer? Something Ernest Hemmingway liked? Yes, you can get it. By mixing peach pulp and a little lemon, you can create a sweet and refreshing base for a champagne cocktail. Try mixing the two in a food processor:
- Toss four peeled and deseeded peaches with the juice of one lemon and mix until smooth, then add sugar or honey to taste, and another tablespoon or two of lemon juice.
- Pour some of the mixture into the champagne flute, then add an equal amount of Italian sparkling wine. This wine is usually called spumante / champagne. Now, you've got the cocktail right!
Part 3 of 3: Cooking with Peaches
Step 1. Make Melba peaches
Boiled peaches, fresh raspberry pulp and vanilla ice cream. What else do you need to know? This is how to make it:
- In a saucepan, heat one cup of water, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and about one cup of sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil and add 4 peaches that have been halved, peeled and seeded, and cook until soft. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- Combine three cups of raspberries, a quarter cup of powdered sugar, and a tablespoon of lemon juice in a food processor.
- Allow the warm peaches to cool and add to a chilled bowl, then add the vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce to the top.
Step 2. Bake with any type of peach
Whether you get peaches that are unripe or overripe, clingstone or freestone, delicious or plain, peaches can make a great addition to tarts, pies, and cobblers. If you have a lot of peaches, use them in your favorite baked dish.
- Make peach pie. Peach pie is a popular and delicious late summer dish in the US. Soft, sweet, and simple, you can learn to make good pie crusts here and peach pie in particular here.
- Bake a peach cobbler. Peach cobblers are similar to pies, but without the crust and with a delicious, sweet, crunchy topping that goes well with vanilla ice cream it should probably be illegal.
Step 3. Make pickled peaches
If you have a lot of peaches, they are good candidates for cooking into super sweet jam. Mix fresh peach pulp with white sugar, with a balanced amount, a little lemon juice, and squared pectin to mix it all up.
- Most commercial pectins have specific instructions and ratios to follow, depending on what fruit you're using. Always follow the pectin directions specifically.
- Try mixing ginger syrup with peaches for a ginger-peach jam that makes a great marinade and goes well with roasts. This mix goes well with blueberries, plums, or cherries.
Step 4. Try dried peaches
As your peaches begin to ripen, learning to dry them effectively can be a great way to store them and make them last longer. It is best to cut them into bite-sized slices and dry them in a commercial food dehydrator, or in the oven at the lowest possible temperature for an extended period of time. Low and slow.
Step 5. Bake the peach slices with the roast
While this may sound unconventional, peaches make a dynamic addition to a variety of grilled meat dishes. Slices of peaches on the grill can be used as a side or topping for pork, chicken, or grilled steaks.
