Can peaches go in the fridge?

In this brief article, we are going to answer the question “can peaches go in the fridge?”. We will also discuss what is the optimum temperature to store peaches, what is the best way to freeze peaches, how ro defrost it and the benefits and drawbacks of freezing peaches. 

Can peaches go in the fridge?

Yes, peaches can go in the fridge. 

Fresh peaches that are harvested ripe will keep for around 3-5 days in the refrigerator. It’s best to let them ripen on the counter before putting them in a brown paper bag and putting them in the fridge. Once ripe, store in the refrigerator and wash before eating (1,2).

If you have extra ripe peaches, refrigerate them for up to two days. The chilly temperature retards ripening and protects the peaches from deteriorating prematurely. It’s worth mentioning, though, that prolonged storage in the refrigerator dehydrates the fruit, resulting in a less attractive texture (1).

It takes a few more days for peaches to fully mature when they are firm to the touch but lack the fruit’s characteristic sweet scent. There is no better place to keep them until then. You can keep them on the counter to keep them safe (3).

Put the peach in the fridge, but leave the plastic bag open so it can breathe.Colder temperatures will retard the fruit’s natural ripening process, and you may store peaches in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Wash fresh fruit only when ready to use it. A natural preservative is present in fruit (most notably in the dusty appearance of grapes). If the fruit has been rinsed and then refrigerated, mold or other microorganisms may begin to form on it (4).

What is the optimum temperature to store peaches?

Optimum temperature for storage peaches is -1 to 0 °C (31 to 32 °F) and 90 to 95% relative humidity. The freezing point varies from -3 to -1.5 °C (27 to 30 °F) (2). 

Peaches are sensitive to chilling injury. Chilling injury develops faster and more intensely in fruit stored at 2 to 7 °C (36 to 45 °F) than in those stored at 0 °C (32 °F) or below. Symptoms of chilling include loss of flavor, wooliness, mealiness and reddening around the stone. More mature peaches tend to be less susceptible to injury (5).

How to store peaches in the refrigerator?

To store peaches in the refrigerator, begin putting your peaches in a dish covered with plastic wrap to speed up the ripening process. If that is your goal, may assist you in expediting the ripening process. Once ripe, the best method to store peaches is in a bag with wide holes or, if not refrigerated, in an open bag apart from other fruits (5,6). 

After cutting your peaches, firmly wrapping them and storing them in the refrigerator is the finest option (6).

When peaches are stored correctly, they may keep fresh for 3–5 days. However, if you want to preserve them even longer, freeze them (7).

What is the best way to freeze peaches?

To freeze peaches correctly you can follow a few steps: Slice your peaches, put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze them for about 4 hours. Once finished, take the sliced peaches and place them in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer’s lowest section. Bags are an excellent method to preserve your fruit while it is frozen, allowing it to remain fresh for up to 2–3 months (6,7).

However, this is not the only way for freezing peaches. If you want to extend the life of your peaches, follow these easy, step-by-step instructions (7,8):

• Begin by cutting a shallow “x” in the bottom of each peach using a sharp knife.
• Next, bring a small saucepan of water to a boil.
• Once the water is boiling, blanch the peaches for 60 seconds before plunging them into a dish of cold water for 60 seconds.
• After that, remove the skins, cut them in half, and scoop out the seeds.
• In a saucepan, combine 4 parts water and 2 parts sugar to form a thin syrup. Allow the sugar to dissolve and the syrup to cool.
• After coating the peaches, pack them. Peaches stored in this manner have a shelf life of 10 to 12 months.

How to defrost frozen peaches safely?

One method to defrost frozen peaches safely is to place the frozen peaches in the refrigerator to thaw. This will normally take between 6 and 8 hours, and you’ll want to flip the bag over occasionally to ensure equal thawing (9).

If you need your peaches immediately, store them in bags. Immerse the bag in chilly water to create a natural warmth. The plastic bags will aid in the preservation of the taste and texture of the peach slices (9). 

Occasionally check the fruit and replace the water until the peaches achieve the required consistency. Bear in mind that the USDA advises avoiding leaving sliced peaches out more than two hours in temps over 40 °F (10). After they’ve thawed, you’re ready to go shopping with your peaches. And when we say town, we’re referring to your kitchen counter.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of freezing peaches?

Freezing peaches has numerous advantages, as it allows for the long-term preservation of their flavor, aroma, and nutritional content, while also preventing waste by storing excess or leftover peaches (11). 

However, there are some drawbacks to freezing. Thawed peaches may experience textural changes, becoming slightly softer, and the vibrant green color may fade. Additionally, repeated freeze-thaw cycles can potentially diminish the overall quality of the fruit (12).

Do peaches go bad in the fridge?

Yes, peaches can go bad in the fridge. If you freeze peaches you can extend its shelf life and it will hardly go bad, but if you just refrigerate and not store properly it might go bad. 

Spoiled peaches can be identified by signs such as the presence of mold, soft and mushy texture, discoloration, unpleasant odor, wrinkled appearance, and sour or off taste. If a peach exhibits any of these indications, it is best to discard it to avoid consuming spoiled fruit and potential health risks (13).

To avoid spoilage, put peaches in an airtight plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator or in the freezer to extend its shelf life (6). 

Conclusion

In this brief article, we answered the question “can peaches go in the fridge?”. We also discussed what is the optimum temperature to store peaches, what is the best way to freeze peaches, how ro defrost it and the benefits and drawbacks of freezing peaches. 

References

1. Tonini G, Tura E. Influence of storage and shelf-life time on rots of peaches and nactarines. Acta Hortic. 1998;464:364–367.

2. The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks. Agricultural Research Service Agriculture, Handbook Number 66, 2016, 466-468.

3. Ropelewska E, Rutkowski KP. The Classification of Peaches at Different Ripening Stages Using Machine Learning Models Based on Texture Parameters of Flesh Images. Agriculture. 2023; 13(2):498. 

4. Zander, A., Bunning, M. Guide to Washing Fresh Produce. Colorado State University, 2010.

5. Watkins, C.B., Nock, J.F. Production Guide for Storage of Organic Fruits and Vegetables. NYS IPM, 2012, 45.

6. How should I store cut fruit and vegetables? USDA, 2023.

7. Silva, C.L.M. Home Freezing of Fruits and Vegetables. In book: Frozen food science and technology, 2008.

8. Tiwari, R.K. Blanching of Fruits and Vegetables to Neutralize the Effect of the Pesticide and Insecticide. Agriculture and Food, 2021, 3.

9. The Big Thaw – Safe Defrosting Methods. USDA, 2013

10. Freezing and Food Safety. USDA, 2013

11. Li, L. et al. Selected nutrient analyses of fresh, fresh-stored, and frozen fruits and vegetables. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 2017, 59, 8-17.

12. Van der Sman, R.G.M. Impact of Processing Factors on Quality of Frozen Vegetables and Fruits. Food Engineering Reviews, 2020, 12, 399–420.

13. Kanupuru, P., Uma Reddy, N.V. A Deep Learning Approach to Detect the Spoiled Fruits. WSEAS Transactions on Computer Research, 2022, 10:74-87.