Today, we’re talking all about peaches! I’m chuckling as I write this, because my last name is Peach! Peaches are wonderful. Hehe.
But really, they are wonderful… wonderfully delicious! These little fruits are probably my new favorite part of the summer growing season. You’ve never experienced the amazingness of the peach unless you’ve had one that’s perfectly ripe, and in its prime.
To be quite honest, I’ve always had trouble selecting peaches. I would bring them home, unripe, and then store them until they went bad, never having the chance to savor them. So, I’m going to tell you a little bit about selecting and storing peaches, as well as some of their health benefits.
Selection:
I would recommend buying them from a farmer’s market or roadside stand from May to October, rather than from a grocery store, if you can help it. You’ll know a peach is perfect to eat if you can smell its peachy goodness. Also, the fuzzier, the better. That means they haven’t been touched/held/handled a lot. Fun fact: the white fuzzies on the outside of a peach are called the “bloom”. Ripe peaches will also be slightly soft to the touch, and vibrant in color. They perish quickly, so only purchase as many as you are going to eat or use within a few days. Unless, of course, you plan on preserving them!
If you know you aren’t going to be using or eating your peaches right away, select slightly firmer peaches, and keep them in a brown paper bag, outside of the refrigerator to ripen until you need them.
Storage:
Peaches may be canned, but personally, I dislike the texture that is produced when they’ve been put up for a while. So, in my humble opinion, freezing them is the way to go. If you have a bounty of fresh peaches and would like to savor them throughout the winter, pack them in sugar before freezing (rather than in plain water). Don’t blanch them first… just peel them.
Nutrition:
These beauties are an excellent source of antioxidant Vitamin C. They also contain minerals such as potassium, fluoride, and iron, which are essential to healthy bodies, bones, and teeth.
Next, we’ll show you how to use peaches in three different grilled peach recipes!
I love that you have learned so much about this fruit that bears your name. I would like one now, please & thank you