How to Ripen Peaches

Co-authored by Jerran Boyer

Few things are as tasty as a juicy, ripe peach, and few things are as disappointing as biting into a peach that's rock hard. If you suffer the unfortunate woe of unripe peaches, don't despair! They are easy to ripen quickly, and can promptly be eaten fresh or used for cooking.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Paper Bag

1
Get a paper bag. Brown paper bags are perfect for ripening peaches. The fruit releases ethylene gas naturally, and the thin paper traps the gas without also trapping moisture. Plastic bags on the other hand, cause peaches to ripen too quickly and then rot.^{[1]
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2
Add your fruit to the bag. Place the unripe peaches into the bag. For added ripening powers, place a banana or apple into the bag with the peaches. These fruits give off high levels of ethylene gas and will cause the peaches to ripen faster.^{[2]
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3
Let the peaches ripen. Leave the bag in a dry area at room temperature for 24 hours.^{[3]
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Research source} The number of peaches and the original ripeness will determine the total amount of time to ripen the peaches fully.
4
Check the peaches. After 24 hours, check your peaches to see how ripe they are. If they give off a soft scent and are slightly soft to the touch, then they are ripe and ready to eat.^{[4]
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Research source} If not, then replace them in the bag for an additional 24 hours. Repeat this process until they are ready.
- If they are not ripened, leave in for another 12-24 hours.
5
Enjoy your peaches. Once all your peaches are ripened, they are ready to eat! They are good stored at room temperature for several days, but can be kept longer when placed in the fridge.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Linen Cloth

1
Lay out a linen napkin. Select a clean, dry area (such as a space on your kitchen counter) to lay out a linen or cotton napkin. Make sure that it is flat for optimum use of space.
2
Lay out your peaches. Place your peaches stem-end down on the linen towel. Spread them out so that they are equidistant from each other, and so none of them are touching (even if you are ripening many peaches).
3
Cover the peaches. Place a second linen or cotton towel over the top of the peaches.^{[5]
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Research source} Cover them completely, and if possible tuck the sides so that the edges are closed off to fresh air.
4
Wait for them to ripen. Ripening your peaches with a linen towel may take several days, but will provide juicier fruit. Check your peaches 2-3 days later, paying attention to their softness and looking for that classic peachy smell. If they aren't quite ready, replace the towel and check back a day later.
5
Enjoy your ripe peaches. When your peaches are soft to the touch and have a great aroma, they are ready to be eaten! Have them fresh or store them in your fridge if you have a surplus you want to extend the life of.^{[6]
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Community Q&A
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Question

Do peaches need to be refrigerated?

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Ripe peaches can be refrigerated and will stay good for about 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Unripe peaches should not be refrigerated until ripe because chilling disrupts the ripening changes in a negative way and can cause the peaches to become mealy or "spongy." Wait until they’re ripe before chilling them.
Question

Why do peaches get pasty?

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Peaches can become "pasty" or mealy on the tree or at home. At home, this can happen if the peaches are refrigerated before fully ripe, as this disrupts the ripening process and cannot be fully restored once the peaches are chilled too early. If it happens on the tree, this may have been caused by the tree's defense mechanisms to ward off insect pests or excessive moisture (to prevent rot).
Question

Can you ripen a peach in the microwave?

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Using the microwave will only work to help start the ripening process; it isn’t a case of putting the unripe peach into the microwave and having it come out ripe. To start the ripening process, place the peach on a microwave-suitable plate. Put into the microwave oven, set to medium heat and microwave it for 15 seconds. Remove the unripe and now heated peach and place into a paper bag, with a banana or an apple. The ethylene released from all the fruit in the bag will ripen the peach and it will work a little faster thanks to the zap in the microwave oven.