How To Ripen Grocery Store Peaches
The peaches at the grocery store may look beautiful, but all too often, they are hard and underripe. Peaches are often picked early so they are easier to ship but too hard to eat. Don’t give up on those peaches just yet! We have a few easy tips and tricks to turn those bland fruits into juicy, sweet delights. Soon, you will be enjoying a luscious, mouthwatering peach that tastes even better than one ripened on the tree.
Placing peaches in a paper bag is a tried-and-true method for ripening. Put your peaches in a paper bag, fold the top loosely to close, and let them sit at room temperature. Check them daily; you’ll notice they soften and sweeten within a few days. Trapping the ethylene gas inside the bag that the peaches emit will help them ripen faster.
Apples and bananas emit more ethylene gas than peaches alone, accelerating the ripening process. The additional ethylene will help your peaches reach peak ripeness more quickly, enhancing their flavor and juiciness. Put just one apple or one banana in the bag with the peaches and close it up. Your peaches will ripen quite quickly, and your banana too!
If you don’t have a paper bag, you can use a cloth or towel to ripen your peaches. Wrap them loosely in a clean, dry cloth or towel and leave them on the counter at room temperature for the same effect as a paper bag. Enclose the peaches completely in the towel so the ethylene gas is completely trapped. Use a dry towel so the peaches do not get moldy as they sit.
Sometimes, simply leaving peaches on the counter at room temperature can do the trick. Place them in a single layer, out of direct sunlight, and let them sit for a few days. Check them daily to ensure they aren’t overripening or developing soft spots. When they give a little when squeezed, they are ready to eat! You will also be able to smell the sweet peach scent. As they ripen, it will get stronger!
It’s important to check your peaches regularly to avoid over-ripening. Peaches can go from underripe to overripe quickly, so daily checks will help you catch them at their peak. Gently push on the peach by its stem; if it has a little squish to it under your fingers, it’s ready to eat. You may also want to rotate or turn your peaches daily, so they do not get soft spots.
That’s right—you can combine these two methods if you’re in a hurry! Place a slightly damp paper towel in the paper bag with your peaches for an extra boost. The added humidity can help soften the fruit faster without making it mushy. Re-wet the towel daily to keep the humidity in the bag high.
Cold temperatures can halt the ripening process, so keep your peaches out of the refrigerator until they’re ready to eat. Refrigerating too soon can result in tasteless, mealy peaches. That is why many grocery store peaches do not taste good. They were refrigerated to extend their shelf life before being sold. Don’t make that mistake and be sure to keep your fresh peaches out of the fridge.
Special fruit ripening bowls or containers are designed to promote even ripening by allowing ethylene gas to circulate while keeping the fruit aerated. These bowls can be a worthwhile investment if you frequently ripen fruit at home. They come in all different sizes so think about how many peaches you typically purchase and will need to ripen. Take a look at the design of these special bowls and see if you have something similar at home already that you may be able to use.
A sunny windowsill can help speed up the ripening process. The warmth from the sun encourages the peaches to soften and develop their sugars. Just be cautious not to leave them for too long, as this causes them to overripen or become too warm. One or two hours in the sun a day will be plenty!
Apples and bananas aren’t the only Ethelyn-producing produce items that can help you ripen your store-bought peaches. Try other fruits, such as tomatoes or avocados, and place them together in a bowl or bag with your peaches. Remember that this will not only help your peaches ripen, but also encourage your avocados and tomatoes to ripen as well.
If you have multiple fruits to ripen, consider using a ripening box. These boxes are designed to create an ideal ripening environment for your produce. This method also works well for evenly ripening large batches of peaches. The special design keeps the air flowing between the peaches while also trapping ethylene gas and allowing the peaches to be stacked. It is a winning design!
Sometimes, the best way to ripen peaches is simply to be patient. Allowing them to ripen slowly at room temperature with minimal intervention can produce the best flavor and texture. Handle your store-bought peaches carefully to avoid bruising, which can lead to spoilage. When you buy peaches at the grocery store, just expect to wait a few days for them to ripen before they will be ready to eat. A juicy, delicious peach is not an instant process!
