Q&A for How to Ripen Peaches

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Do peaches need to be refrigerated?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Ripe peaches can be refrigerated and will stay good for about 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Unripe peaches should not be refrigerated until ripe because chilling disrupts the ripening changes in a negative way and can cause the peaches to become mealy or "spongy." Wait until they’re ripe before chilling them.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 12
Question

Why do peaches get pasty?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Peaches can become "pasty" or mealy on the tree or at home. At home, this can happen if the peaches are refrigerated before fully ripe, as this disrupts the ripening process and cannot be fully restored once the peaches are chilled too early. If it happens on the tree, this may have been caused by the tree's defense mechanisms to ward off insect pests or excessive moisture (to prevent rot).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 10
Question

Can you ripen a peach in the microwave?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

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. To start the ripening process, place the peach on a microwave-suitable plate. Put into the microwave oven, set to medium heat and microwave it for 15 seconds. Remove the unripe and now heated peach and place into a paper bag, with a banana or an apple. The ethylene released from all the fruit in the bag will ripen the peach and it will work a little faster thanks to the zap in the microwave oven.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 9
Question

How do you ripen peaches and nectarines?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Peaches and nectarines can both be ripened in the same way. One easy way is to place the unripe fruit inside a paper bag to which you’ve added either a banana or an apple. Close the top of the bag down and leave in a dry place at room temperature to ripen. The fruit should be ripened in 24 hours. Note that placing peaches in the fridge before ripening interferes with the ripening process and can cause them to become "spongy"; nectarines are hardier and can handle being refrigerated before being ripened.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Question

What can I do with unripe peaches?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you can't wait for the peaches to ripen, or you've got a glut of unripe peaches, there are various recipes for using them in their unripe state. For example, unripe peaches can be poached for dessert dishes as poaching brings out some of their sweetness and makes them soft. Or, you can turn them into peach pickles for long-term preservation and a tasty condiment. Or, do an online search for Bill Smith's Green Peach Salad, reputed to go well with cheese.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
Question

Can peaches ripen after being picked?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, peaches ripen after picking, they are among the group of fruits that continue ripening after being picked from their parent plant. To speed up the ripening process, refer to one of the methods explained in the article above.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

With the paper bag method, does the bag remain open or do you shut it to keep light out?

Community Answer

Keep the bag closed - not necessarily to keep the light out, but to hold the ethylene gas in which is what ripens the fruit.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 54
Question

How do I keep my roommate from eating all my peaches?

Community Answer

Put them in a bag marked "Prunes" or something you know your roommate doesn't like. You could also just speak to your roommate about it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 41
Question

Should peaches be ripened before refrigerating, or can I pull them out of the fridge and ripen them later?

Community Answer

Why not both? Ripen the peaches while they are in the fridge by using either of the two methods. Works great for me! However, to answer your question, you could refrigerate the peaches first (although they will still ripen slowly in the fridge).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 10
Question

How do I keep fruit flies away from my peaches?

Community Answer

Put lemon-scented things around them. Lemon is strong-smelling and repulsive to flies.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 27
Question

If I use the paper bag method, will the number of peaches in the bag change how fast they ripen?

Community Answer

It's possible. Avoid overcrowding the bag with peaches.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 20
Question

Can you ripen peaches after they've been cut?

Community Answer

Yes, but the inside of the peach will look brownish and may not taste as good.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 9
Question

Does it affect the ripening process if I wash the peaches first?

Community Answer

Washing the peaches doesn't affect the ripening process.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
Question

How do I put a peach in a microwave?

Community Answer

I wouldn't do that. The peach is likely just going to explode and make a mess.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
Question

Is it safe to eat peaches that aren't ripe?

Community Answer

Unripe peaches are safe to eat but may taste slightly bitter.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
Question

A branch on our peach tree broke and it had about three dozen peaches on it that are very green. Will the paper bag still work?

Community Answer

Yes! Just place a couple peaches in brown bag and let them sit. It may take longer if they're very green.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

Will a peach taste like an apple if ripened in a bag with one?

Community Answer

No, there will be no cross-contamination in terms of taste.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

All the nocturnal critters are eating my peaches. The peaches are red and greenish in color. If I pick them now, will they ripen in a paper bag?

Michael Thiessen

Community Answer

The more unripe the peach, the longer it will take. Too soon and though they may ripen eventually, they might become shriveled and unappealing.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

Will unripe peaches ripen if placed in sunshine?

Michael Thiessen

Community Answer

The gas will escape, slowing the process. The solar heat may also cause them to mush out and flies will land on them, so it's not a good idea.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

Can I omit the banana or apple from the brown bag and still get a ripened peach? Or does that defeat the purpose?

Community Answer

Yes, the apple and banana just speed it up, they give off a lot more of the ethylene gas, which causes the ripening process to occur.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1