I picked up some peaches, but they felt a bit hard still. The farmer assured me that they would be perfectly ripe by tomorrow morning. I tried one later in the afternoon and it was sweet, but had a mushy, mealy texture that I did not like.

Do you ever have trouble picking out peaches? You do? Okay, we need some peach picking tips.

Peach Picking Tips

*For residents of the US, peaches are at their peak in June and July for Southerners and July and August for Northerners.

I’m in the West, toward the middle. Peaches have been in the grocery store in my area for months, but always the hard, overly firm fruit. I’ve purchased them a few times, but I’m still searching for that perfect peach.

*Avoid fruit with any green on it. A ripe peach has a good amount of red “blush” on it.

The fruit that I saw today was very red, with only a little gold or orange to it. So, that was good.

*A ripe peach will have a bit of “give” to it.

It’s hard to describe exactly what “give” is. Think of one of those red playground balls, the kind you used to play 4-square with. They have a firmness to them, but there’s also a little “give.” That’s what makes both a good bouncy ball and a good ripe peach.

* A ripe peach will smell sweet and “peachy.”

I saw a woman sniffing the table of fruit today. I’ve used my nose to pick out a fresh cantalope, but never a peach. If it works for melons, it works for peaches, apparently.   

*Use any soft fruit as soon as possible.

My grandma used to buy flats of peaches when I was a kid. She would make peach cobbler, peach jam, and we’d get to eat our fill when we visited, because once a peach is ripe, it gets over ripe pretty quick.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Blisstree

Peach Picking Tips

When Dr. Melina Jampolis diet and fitness expert was ask the question, “are dried fruits equal to fresh fruit”? Her answer, she was not a big fan of dried fruit because they are higher in calories due to added sugar and fats. When fruit has been dried we also lose some of the nutrients.

When the water is taken out of the dried fruit we tend to think that the portions are smaller so therefore we can eat more. Actually when eating fresh fruit we can control the amounts we eat with greater ease.

With obesity at epidemic levels we need to lower our calories as often as possible, while making healthy choices.

A book that you may find interesting that will help you in finding tasty alternatives to fattening foods is “The Super Foods RX Diet.” In the book you will find healthy foods and facts such as blueberries as well as cranberries are also good for urinary tract health.

In choosing fruits you may keep in mind that all deeply colored berries, cherries and grapes are rich in disease fighting phytonutrients and antioxidants. These deeply colored fruits are a great way of eating heart healthy.

When the urge for something sweet hits you at work or for that late night snack be sure to reach for some fruit.

For more information click here Dr. Melina Jampolis.

Post from: Blisstree

Fresh Or Dried Fruit