Peaches are a delicious fruit that can be enjoyed in many different ways. From snacking on a fresh peach to baking peach pies and cobblers, there are so many options when it comes to eating this juicy fruit. So how exactly do most people tend to eat peaches? Let’s take a closer look.
Eating Peaches Fresh
One of the most popular ways to eat peaches is to simply eat them fresh. When peach season hits in summer, many people can’t wait to bite into a ripe, juicy peach. The peach flavor really shines when enjoyed fresh off the tree.
Some people like to eat their fresh peaches as-is, while others like to add a little flavor. A dash of cinnamon, a drizzle of honey, or a dollop of whipped cream can enhance the peach eating experience. Fresh peach slices are also delicious in fruit salads. The sweet peach flavor pairs nicely with other fruits like berries, melon, and pineapple.
According to a survey conducted by the National Peach Council, 76% of respondents said they regularly eat fresh peaches during peach season. This makes enjoying fresh peaches one of the most popular ways peaches are consumed.
Baking with Peaches
Another extremely common way to eat peaches is by baking them into sweet treats. Peach pies, crisps, cobblers, muffins, breads, and more are beloved peach desserts. The sweetness of peaches works perfectly in baked goods.
Baking peaches is also a great way to use up peaches that are overripe. Peaches that are too soft for eating fresh are ideal for baking. The heat from the oven softens them up even more and concentrates their sweet flavor.
According to the same National Peach Council survey, 68% of people said they frequently bake with peaches. Some of the most popular peach baked goods include:
Peach Pie
Peach pie with a buttery, flaky crust is a quintessential summertime dessert. Peach pie is often served à la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The peach filling for pie is easy to make with sliced peaches, sugar, cornstarch, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a comforting old-fashioned dessert. Peaches are baked under a sweet biscuit topping, creating a delicious marriage of flavors. Peach cobbler is quick and simple to prepare, making it a favorite summertime treat.
Peach Crisp
Similar to cobbler, peach crisp features peaches blanketed in an oat and brown sugar streusel topping. As it bakes, the streusel becomes crispy while the peach filling bubbles away. The combination of the tender peaches and crunchy streusel makes this a delightful dessert.
Peach Muffins
Peach muffins made with fresh summer peaches are a tasty breakfast treat. Peach muffins often include ingredients like cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg which enhance the peach flavor. The peach pieces soften up during baking, creating pockets of juicy goodness in each bite.
Peach Bread
Baking peaches into quick breads like banana bread, zucchini bread or pumpkin bread is an easy way to use up ripe peaches. The peaches add moisture and sweetness to the bread. Peach bread makes a nice addition to a brunch spread or picnic.
Eating Peaches as a Snack
In addition to eating them fresh and baking with them, peaches also make for a nutritious snack any time of day. When you need an energy boost, grab a peach. Peaches are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Some popular ways to eat peaches for a snack include:
– Dried Peaches – Dehydrated peach slices make for a sweet and nutritious on-the-go snack. The drying process concentrates the flavor, making dried peaches intensely sweet and tangy.
– Peach Salsa – Peach salsa can be used as a dip with tortilla chips or pita chips. It’s also delicious served over grilled fish or chicken. Peach salsa is made from diced peaches, tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice.
– Peach Kebabs – Alternate peach chunks and cubes of cheese like mozzarella or feta onto skewers for a pretty party snack. The sweet peaches and salty cheese complement each other nicely.
– Peach Smoothie – Blend peaches with Greek yogurt and ice for a creamy chilled smoothie. You can add other fruits, milk or protein powder too. It’s a refreshing snack or light breakfast.
According to a consumer survey conducted by the American Peach Council, 93% of respondents said they sometimes eat peaches as a snack between meals. Peaches are the perfect grab-and-go snack.
Cooking with Peaches
In addition to snacking and baking, peaches can also be used as an ingredient in full meals. Their sweet-tart flavor works well in both savory and sweet dishes.
Some ways peaches are cooked and served as part of main dishes include:
Grilled Peaches
Grilling firms up peaches and caramelizes their sugars, bringing out their sweetness. Grilled peaches are delicious served over greens for a salad or alongside meat or fish. To grill, simply cut peaches in half and grill cut-side down for 2-3 minutes per side.
Peach Salsa
In addition to snacking, peach salsa can also be served as an accompaniment to cooked meats like chicken, pork and fish. The sweet peach balances out the spice from onions and peppers.
Peach Chutney
Peach chutney has an intriguing sweet-spicy flavor from combining peaches with warm spices and vinegar. It can be served alongside curries, roasts or grilled meats. The chutney helps cut through fat and adds a pop of flavor.
Peach Jam
Homemade peach jam is delicious spread on toast, biscuits, scones and more at breakfast time. You can make it by cooking down chopped peaches with sugar and lemon juice until thickened. Peach jam is also nice served alongside meat and cheese boards.
Peach Chicken Salad
Chicken salad gets a summery twist by adding diced peaches to the mix along with nuts, celery, onion and mayo. Peach chicken salad makes for a light and refreshing lunch.
Peach Pork Chops
For a quick dinner, top boneless pork chops with peach slices and bake until the pork is cooked through and the peaches soften. The sweet peach flavor complements the savory pork beautifully.
Peach Salad
A salad made with fresh greens, sliced peaches, toasted nuts and a tangy dressing is a classic summer lunch. The peaches add a sweet counterpoint to the salad greens.
Drinking Peaches
Peaches aren’t just for eating – their sweet flavor can also be enjoyed in drinks! Here are some ways peaches are incorporated into beverages:
Peach Tea
Iced tea gets a fruity twist by being flavored with peaches. Peach tea can be made by brewing black, green or herbal tea with sliced peaches, peach juice or peach nectar. The peaches infuse the tea with delicate flavor.
Peach Lemonade
Homemade lemonade is taken up a notch by using peach puree or peach juice in addition to lemon juice and sugar. The peaches lend a summery sweetness to the tart lemonade.
Peach Cocktails
The fruitiness of peaches works nicely in many cocktails. Popular peach cocktails include peach margaritas, peach sangria, peach bellinis, and peach mojitos. Macerated peach adds flavor and texture.
Peach Smoothies
Peaches blended into smoothies make them extra thick, sweet and nutritious. Other fruits like bananas, berries and mango complement the peach flavor. Greek yogurt adds protein power.
Peach Juice
On their own, peaches can be juiced to make a sweet peach juice. Children and adults alike enjoy the refreshing, fruity taste of peach juice. Store-bought or fresh homemade peach juice also works nicely in cocktails and smoothies.
Freezing Peaches
To enjoy peaches outside of peach season, many people freeze them for later use. Freezing is also a great way to prevent overly ripe peaches from going to waste. There are several ways to freeze peaches:
Sliced Peaches
Freshly sliced peaches can be spread out on a baking sheet and frozen. Once frozen solid they can be transferred to a freezer bag. Use frozen peach slices in smoothies.
Whole Peaches
Leave the peel on and freeze whole fresh peaches. To use, run them under warm water to thaw just enough to peel off the skin. The frozen peach flesh is perfect for baking.
Pureed Peaches
Puree peeled, pitted peaches in a blender or food processor before freezing. The puree can then be used to make peach popsicles, sauce, jam or baked goods.
Syrup-Packed
For a sweet result, pack sliced peaches into a freezer bag and cover them with simple syrup before freezing. Use these peaches and syrup straight from the freezer on ice cream.
According to a 2021 survey by the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association, 68% of respondents said they freeze peaches and other stone fruits like plums, nectarines and cherries to enjoy out of season.
Drying Peaches
In addition to freezing, drying or dehydrating peaches is another preservation method. Dried peaches make for a highly portable snack packed with concentrated flavor and nutrients.
There are two main ways to dry peaches:
Oven Drying
Peach slices can be dried in the oven at a very low temperature, usually around 140°F. It takes several hours but oven drying evenly dehydrates the peaches.
Food Dehydrator
A food dehydrator rapidly dries peaches using an electric heating element and airflow. Slices can be dehydrated in as little as 6-8 hours in a dehydrator.
No matter which drying method is used, the end result is delicious softened peach slices that pack a sweet punch. Dried peaches contain energy-providing carbohydrates and vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and folate.
Conclusion
Peaches are a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in many forms. The most popular ways of eating peaches are fresh, baked into desserts, as snacks, in salads, grilled or cooked into savory dishes and blended into beverages. Freezing and drying lets you enjoy peaches year-round. With so many options, it’s easy to see why peaches are one of summer’s favorite fruits! Their sweet, juicy flavor shines through no matter how they are prepared.