There’s nothing quite like the first bite of a juicy, sweet and sun-kissed Georgia peach. But because these delicate fruits are handpicked at peak ripeness, proper storage is key to keeping them flavorful as long as possible. The right storage will preserve the sweet aroma, juicy texture and freshness of your peaches.
When you order a carefully-packed box of peaches from Dickey Farms, we select only the best to ship to your door. With a little care, you can enjoy every last bite.
How to Determine if a Peach Is Ripe
Before storing fresh peaches, check for ripeness. A ripe peach gives slightly under gentle pressure, has a vibrant golden or reddish hue without green near the stem and releases a sweet, fragrant aroma. If the peach is still firm or lacks scent, it needs more time to ripen.
How to Store Unripe Peaches
If your peaches are firm and not quite ripe, place them stem-side down on the counter at room temperature. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from other fruit to prevent bruising and ensure even ripening.
To speed up the ripening process, put the peaches in a paper bag with a banana or apple for a day or two. Check back every day to see whether they are ready to eat.
How to Store Ripe Peaches
Wondering how to store fresh peaches? In your stomach! Once ripe, fresh peaches are best eaten within a few days.
To extend their shelf life, store ripe peaches in the fridge. Keep them in a single layer in the crisper drawer to avoid bruising. Storing fresh peaches in the refrigerator can give them an extra three to five days of freshness while preserving their sweet flavor and soft texture.
How to Store Cut Peaches
Have you already sliced your peaches? Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. To keep the slices from browning, lightly drizzle them with lemon juice. Lemon juice prevents oxidation, so your peaches maintain their color and texture.
Freezing Peaches for Long-Term Storage
If you’re looking for the best way to store peaches beyond a week or two, freezing is a great option. Not many people realize it, but peaches freeze beautifully.
Slice, peel and coat your peaches with lemon juice or a light sugar syrup. Then freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Storing Peaches for Canning or Drying
For dehydrating, start with fruit that’s fully ripe but still firm. Rinse and peel as needed before processing. If you want to dry your peaches, thin, uniform slices work best. Put them in your dehydrator or in your oven at 125°F until they are dry. This can take about 12 hours. Dried peaches can last up to six months.
For canning, freestone peaches are best. Quarter or halve your peaches and cover them with lemon juice. Create your favorite simple syrup, then pack the jars, remove air bubbles and seal. Process in a water bath canner before cooling and storing.
Bring the Taste of Georgia Home
Now that you know how to store peaches to last longer, it’s time to bite into the taste of Georgia summer!
At Dickey Farms, we’ve been harvesting the finest Georgia peaches since 1897. Order online or visit us in Musella. We’d love to share the sweetness.
