This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Follow my easy tutorial on how to cut a peach and discover all the yumminess this luscious fruit brings to recipes. Remember, peaches go both sweet – in baked goods – and savory – in salsas, sides, and main dishes.
Table of Contents
A large peach contains 10 percent of your daily hunger-fighting fiber, 20 percent of a day’s vitamin C, and traces of potassium and iron. Plus, its orange color indicates beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A and is thought to boost heart, eye, lung, and brain health. Generally, one peach equals 10 percent of a day’s vitamin A.
How to select ripe peach
Full confession: A vendor once schooled me for squeezing peaches at the farmer’s market! This is because they bruise really easily. Here are some tips for selecting a ripe peach:
- Smell the peach. Peaches that give off a pleasant, sweet peachy smell are what you’re looking for.
- Feel the fruit. If it feels heavy for its size and for your hand, it’s a good indicator that it’s tasty.
- Press very gently. A ripe peach will have a slight give.
- Avoid peaches with green spots. Peaches need to turn color on the tree to reach peak flavor. And be sure to also avoid peaches with brown spots or bruises which may may they have gone bad.
Two variety of peach pits
- Cling or clingstone peaches. These have a pit, or stone, that actually clings to the fruit and is hard to remove. These are most often used for canned products.
- Freestone peaches: These have pits that fall away from the fruit much easier. Therefore, markets usually stock freestone peaches. The cutting tutorial below is for the more popular freestrone peaches.
How to cut up a peach
- First, hold the peach vertical with the stem upwards and using a sharp paring knife held vertically with the peach, insert the blade carefully until you hit the pit. Now, roll the peach around the blade of the knife ensuring the blade is touching the pit the whole time until you have reached your original cut.
- Next, put down the knife and hold the peach in the palm of your hands.
- Then, twist to separate the two segments.
- At this point, you can pop the pit off with your fingers if the peach is ripe.
- If you get a sticky pit, loosen the pit first with a knife and then remove with your fingers.
- And finally, slice in the same direction as the peach was halved to your desired thickness.
Try these recipes with peach
- Peach Galette
- Peach Salad
- Breakfast Quinoa Oatmeal
- Grilled Fruit Kebobs
- Fruit Pizza
- Fresh Peach Tart
- Baked Peaches
- Brown Sugar Peach Crumble Pie
- Browned Butter Grilled Peaches
- Peach Salsa
- Basil and Balsamic Peach Bruschetta
- Peach Pancakes
- Peach Chicken
- Peach Upside Down Cake
- Peach Gazpacho
- The Easiest Peach Turnovers
Frequently asked questions
First, don’t refrigerate them. Always remember, unripe peaches should be left to soften at room temperature. For the quickest softening, put them in a paper bag with an apple whose ethylene gas will speed the process. When fully ripe, peaches can be put in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Like bananas and apples, peaches oxidize and turn brown when cut. However, they are still totally edible just less visually appealing. To avoid browning, splash fruit with lemon or orange juice, whose vitamin C, will stall the process.
As always, tightly wrap or package your cut produce. Of course, fridge life depends on the fruit’s ripeness when cut, but they should be good for two to three days at least.
Absolutely, this is an excellent way to preserve peaches. First, cut into slices, and then treat with lemon juice if you like. Secondly, flash freeze on cookie trays, and finally package tightly into freezer-safe storage containers. They will be best used within a year.
Undeniably, a ripe, juicy peach is one of the joys of summer (and early fall!) But unfortunately, the season is short. Take advantage of it while you can and learn how to properly cut a peach!
For more tutorials for how to cut fruit:
- How to Cut a Mango
- How to Cut a Pomegranate
- How to Cut Dragon Fruit
- How to Cut a Kiwi Properly
- How to Properly Cut a Pineapple
- How to Cut Up a Watermelon
- How to Cut a Melon Up
- How to Cup up a Tomato
- How to Cut a Kiwi
- How to Cut an Orange
- How To Cut a Grapefruit Properly
If you’ve found this cooking resource for How to Cut a Peach helpful or if you’ve tried any recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience with this technique. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!
How to Cut a Peach
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Ripe Peach washed and dried
Instructions
- Hold the peach vertical with the stem upwards.
- Using a sharp paring knife held vertically with the peach, insert the blade carefully until you hit the pit.
- Roll the peach around the blade of the knife ensuring the blade is touching the pit the whole time until you have reached your original cut.
- Place the peach in the palm of your hands and twist to separate the two segments. Pop the pit off with your fingers if the peach is ripe or loosen first with a knife and then remove with your fingers.
- Slice in the same direction as the peach was halved to your desired thickness.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Do you leave the skin on the peach or cut it off for a fruit tray?
Thanks
It really depends on preference, but I usually leave the skin on!
For the peach cobbler , can I cut the skin off or is there a reason you leave it on . I’m excited to make it this weekend.
You can cut off the skin if you’d like. Hope you enjoy!!