Unripe peaches will feel hard, and mushy peaches are overripe. Unripe peaches should be stored separately from ripe peaches, and the proper storage method will vary based on how ripe a peach is.
Don’t store unripe peaches in the fridge. This can change the consistency, coloring, and flavor of the peach in an undesirable way.
If you have more than 2 peaches, use more than 1 brown paper bag to make sure they don’t get squished together.
Peaches, bananas, and apples all emit a gas called ethylene gas, which helps them get ripe, so putting together those fruits helps them get riper faster than they would on their own.
Peaches stored on their shoulders are also less likely to accidentally roll and fall off the counter.
Similarly, if you’re storing your peaches along with other fruits on the counter, avoid putting the peaches on the bottom. If you have to stack them, keep them on the top.
If you don’t like the taste and texture of peach “fuzz,” you can gently rub most of it off with your fingers while you rinse the fruit. Don’t use a scrub brush as it can damage the flesh of the fruit.
Drying the peaches before storing them is an important step, as the moisture can damage the skin of the peach once it gets cold in the fridge.
The cool temperature in your fridge slows down the ripening process, which gives you a few extra days to enjoy your peaches. Check your peaches every day. The cool temperature may keep them from spoiling as quickly as unrefrigerated peaches, but it can also dehydrate and wrinkle the fruit.
This is a helpful option, especially if you are going to be adding peaches to smoothies, shakes, or desserts.
The lemon juice has ascorbic acid in it, which lowers the pH levels and can stop the oxidation process (which is what turns the peaches brown).
Once peaches start to get mushy, you need to use them right away or else they will rot. Either throw them into a smoothie or transfer them to the freezer for longer storage.
Don’t worry about rubbing off the peach fuzz, since you will be peeling the peaches before they go into the freezer.
If you have a lot of peaches to peel, try scoring the bottom of each peach (making an “X” across the bottom with a knife), putting them into boiling water for 40 seconds, and then immediately transferring them to an ice bath. You should then be able to just use your fingers to easily peel off the skin. [14] X Research source
Watch out for the pit when you cut into the peach! Make sure to either throw it away or toss it into your compost pile.
The more space between the peaches means that the cold air will work faster to freeze them.
A frozen peach won’t exude juice when you squeeze it. If you break a frozen peach slice in half, you will see small crystals of ice and should not see a juicy interior. If you were to just toss unfrozen sliced peaches into a freezer bag, they would end up freezing in 1 giant clump and would be hard to use.
You can stick a straw into the freezer bag and seal it until just the straw is sticking out, then suck out as much air as you can before sealing it off. Use a vacuum-sealer if you have one.
Label the date you prepared the peaches on the outside of the airtight container. That way you won’t forget when you first froze them and how long they’ll be good for.
