The Fastest Way to Ripen Peaches

Whether freestone, clingstone, semi-clingstone, or donut, peaches are best enjoyed when perfectly ripe. Knowing how to ripen peaches quickly is very useful because often you need to help this favorite stone fruit along. Unlike some other fruits, peaches continue to ripen after they are picked—so unless you buy ripe peaches, you have to wait for them to ripen or you need to accelerate the process. Ahead, see our expert tips for how to achieve peak peach perfection.

What to Look for When Shopping for Peaches

The quickest route to a ripe peach is to buy it already ripened. Color, touch, and smell are the best indicators of the quality of peaches, says Molly Siegler, senior manager of culinary development at Whole Foods Market. "A ripe peach is soft and will yield to a gentle squeeze," she says. The color of the flesh should be completely free of any greenish tint or undertones on the skin.

Why Is It So Hard to Buy Ripe Peaches?

"Many peaches are shipped hard and underripe, so they don't get bruised," says David Lebovitz, baking expert and author of Ready for Dessert, that's why you'll find more underipe peaches than ripe ones at supermarkets.

The Best Way to Ripen Peaches

If you can't find ripe peaches at the market, all is not lost: You'll still be able to enjoy juicy ripe peaches, but it may take an extra day or two.

To ripen peaches at home: Gently tuck the peaches, stem-side down, into a brown paper bag and then fold the opening to close the bag, says Siegler.

Why this works: The closed bag traps in the natural ethylene gas that the peach releases as it matures, speeding up the ripening process. Stem-side down is important because when peaches are left on their round side, you risk that edge getting mushy or dented as the peach ripens, Lebovitz says.

The Fastest Method to Ripen Peaches

To speed up ripening, use the paper bag technique outlined above but add another fruit such as a banana or apple to the bag says Siegler.

Why this works: Placing another fruit that gives off even more ethylene than peaches in close proximity to the peaches encourages faster ripening

Note: Keep a close eye on the peaches if you try this method, Siegler warns, as they tend to go from perfectly ripe to overripe in a matter of hours.

How to Tell When Your Peaches Are Ripe

• Texture: Gently squeeze the peach. If it's firm but has some give, it's ripe and ready to be enjoyed.
• Fragrance: "A fully ripe peach will have a generous peach aroma," says Lebovitz. This odor will be especially noticeable near the stem.
  
• Weight: Hold the peach in your hand. A ripe peach will have more juice than an unripe one, so it will be slightly heavier.

How to Use Overripe Peaches

If your peaches slip past their most desired stage of ripeness and start to get a bit mushy, all is not lost. Lebovitz shares a few tasty ways to get the most out of an overripe peach. It's "best to peel and cook them until tender, puree with some sugar (and perhaps a shot of kirsch), and churn them into Peach Sorbet." He says you can also use them to make a crisp or cobbler, rather than a pie, as they'll be quite juicy and are best suited for being baked in a high-sided baking dish rather than a pie tin or plate.