Is there anything better than biting into a ripe, juicy peach? Sometimes though they aren’t quite as ripe as you’d like but there is a way to speed up the ripening process so that you can enjoy their sweet goodness sooner.
Most commercially grown stonefruit are picked before they reach full ripeness because they continue to ripen off the tree. If you find yourself with unripe peaches all you need to do is pop them into a brown paper bag out of direct sunlight at room temperature. Within a day or two they will have ripened. If you can’t wait a couple of days you can speed the process up by adding a ripe banana to the bag. Bananas produce ethylene gas which will make the peaches ripen more quickly.
How do you know when peaches are ripe and ready to eat? You use your senses. Ripe peaches will smell sweet, if there’s no smell then they need some more time to ripen. Don’t be tempted to squeeze peaches to test for ripeness because they bruise easily and bruising will make the peach rot faster. Instead give a gentle press; if there is a slight give the peach is ripe. Colour is also a good indicator of ripeness, a green peach is not ripe whereas a good blush of yellow-red colour indicates a ready to eat peach.
Storing ripe peaches depends on how quickly you want to eat them. If you are planning on eating them within 2 to 3 days you can keep them at room temperature, but if you want them to last longer you should pop them in the fridge as this will stop them from ripening further. Don’t keep peaches in the fridge for any longer than a week though because the texture will change and they will become dry and not as nice to eat.
FAQs
If you find yourself with unripe peaches all you need to do is pop them into a brown paper bag out of direct sunlight at room temperature. Within a day or two they will have ripened. If you can't wait a couple of days you can speed the process up by adding a ripe banana to the bag.
What is the best way to ripen hard peaches? ›
TL;DR: In our testing, we found that storing peaches in a paper bag with other ethylene-emitting fruit, like an apple or banana, was the most effective way to ripen them and produced the juiciest and most flavorful peaches.
Can I ripen peaches in a brown paper bag? ›
Be gentle and do not bang or dent them in the car or on the way home. Place the peaches in a brown paper bag or between the folds of a linen towel on the counter. The peaches give off ethylene gas; when trapped, the gas helps the fruit ripen.
Do peaches ripen faster in the fridge or on the counter? ›
Caring For Your Peaches
Simply put them on your counter at room temperature until they reach your desired ripeness. For faster ripening, place peaches in a brown paper bag on the kitchen counter. Once your peaches have reached ripeness, then and only then should you place them in the refrigerator.
Does microwaving peaches ripen them? ›
Using the microwave will only work to help start the ripening process; it isn't a case of putting the unripe peach into the microwave and having it come out ripe.
Will hard peaches get softer? ›
Yes, hard peaches soften or ripen from the natural release of ethylene gas. Placing peaches in a paper bag or perforated plastic bag will actually enhance the process. Once ripe, you can then place them in the refrigerator to slow the ripening process. Eat within 1 to 2 days.
How to make unripe peaches taste better? ›
Luckily, the grill comes to the rescue! The heat of the grill intensifies the natural sugars in peaches — and other underripe fruit — as well as softens the flesh. The end result is a sweet, slightly caramelized and soft peach.
Is it better to ripen fruit paper or plastic bags? ›
Plastic bags are not good for this: they trap moisture which can cause the fruit to rot before it ripens. Paper bags, and it doesn't matter what color, are best because they're not airtight. We have two classifications of fruit when it comes to ripening: climacteric and non-climacteric.
What can I use instead of a paper bag to ripen fruit? ›
The Rice in a Bowl Method
This method originated in India, where you hide unripe mangos in uncooked rice to speed up the ripening process. This involves the same principle as the paper bag method: trapping ethylene. All you have to do is place your mango in a bowl with rice, making sure the mango is completely covered.
Will peaches ripen in a cardboard box? ›
If you have two or three peaches, simply ripen them in a brown paper bag in a warm spot — on the kitchen counter or the laundry room of your home. If you have more peaches, use the shoe box method instead: Place them in a single layer in the box and top it with the box lid. Check the fruit every day.
Storing Ripe Peaches
Ripe peaches are best when eaten right away, but if you have more than you can eat in a single sitting, stash them in the refrigerator for up to a couple days. The cool temperature slows down ripening and prevents the peaches from quickly spoiling.
How to tell if peaches are ripe? ›
If the peach is firm to the touch, it's not ready. Wait until there is some “give” when it is gently squeezed. Never squeeze too hard- it will result in bruising! A ripe peach has a dark yellow color.
What is the fastest way to ripen peaches? ›
Pop a few peaches in a paper bag solo, or with an apple or banana, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how quickly they'll be ready to eat. With the paper bag method, you can expect ripe peaches within a few hours or a day (depending on how firm the peaches were to begin with).
What to do with peaches that are not ripe? ›
If you have unripe peaches you aren't ready to eat, you can keep them at room temperature, stem-side down and away from other produce, to give them a few extra days to ripen. You can also store them in the freezer, where they will last several months.
Why did my peaches never ripen? ›
Pruning and thinning reduce the amount of fruit to a level that the tree can support and results in better fruit. Mike also says small, non-ripening peaches can also happen when the top of the tree has died and the tree has come back from the rootstock. The rootstock is not a good fruit producer.
Are peaches good when they're hard? ›
A ripe peach will be slightly soft to the touch. If it's too hard or firm, then that probably means it's not ripe yet. Try gently squeezing your peach — if there's a little bit of “give,” then your peach is ready to eat. Just be sure not to press too hard since peaches tend to bruise easily.
What to do with peaches that won't ripen? ›
To soften hard, unripe peaches, put them in a paper bag and leave on the counter for a day. You want the peaches to have a slight give when you squeeze them.
Can you pick peaches when they are hard? ›
You can test the firmness of a ripe peach while it is still on the tree. If the peaches are still hard when you squeeze them, they need more time to ripen on the tree. Check back in a few days.
