How To Pick The Best Peaches At The Market?

Peach season is upon us, which means summer is just around the corner. Ever wonder how to pick the best peaches at the market?

Last time I was a the supermarket, I saw a lot of peaches. It reminded me of a book I bought which explains how to select, store, and utilize produce and meats. The book is in Chinese. 

Of all the tips and pointers, the one I remember the most is how to pick peaches. Because I gave it a nickname. When buying peaches, the key is to look for a "conservative peach". What that means is, a peach which the "butt crack" is not obvious, and the "nipple" is not pointy. A more round and full shaped peach means the flesh has had enough time to grow, expand, and ripen.

Also

1) Look for a golden creamy yellow undertone. 

Especially examine the area near the stem. Peaches with greenish undertone were picked too early and won't ripen properly. The blush or redness is not an indicator of ripeness, sweetness, or juiciness! The lightness/darkness of the blush is just a characteristic as the result of sunshine. 

2) Peaches should smell "peachy", fragrant, sweet, and floral.

3) A heavier peach should have more juice content, when it is compared to other similar size peaches.  

4) Ripe peaches should give a little when gently pressed.

5) Avoid peaches with bruises, scratches, brown spots, indentations, or wrinkly skin. 

Store peaches in room temperature. Once they have ripened, store them in the reiterator.