Peaches

Store at room temperature until soft and fragrant. Once ripe, refrigerate to slow ripening. Freeze whole or sliced; thaw before using in most recipes.

5–7

10–12

3–5 (until ripe)

To ripen hard peaches quickly, place them in a paper bag at room temperature.

A ripe peach should yield slightly to gentle pressure and smell sweet.

Blanch peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds to make peeling easier.

Toss cut peaches with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning.

Peaches pair beautifully with vanilla, cinnamon, basil, and soft cheeses.

Buying peaches too far in advance; they ripen quickly and can become mushy.

Storing ripe peaches at room temperature for days; move them to the fridge once soft.

Peeling unripe peaches; wait until they yield to gentle pressure.