What do you need to do to make nectarines ripen? How to tell when peaches are ripe and time to pick

Nectarine occupies one of the leading places among the so-called stone fruits in terms of its taste and visual appeal. Its name comes from its high sugar content, that is, nectar. Nectarine, like many other fruits, originated from China, from where it spread throughout Europe in ancient times. Today it is cultivated in many countries with warm climates. In particular, it is very common in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula. According to a number of different versions, it is believed that this fruit was obtained after crossing a peach and a plum, an apricot or an apple. But experts, nevertheless, are inclined to believe that nectarine was obtained as a result of crossing different varieties of peaches, because it is very close to them in composition and other properties. In addition, it also grows on peach trees.

Nectarine has a pronounced peach taste, but with an almond tint. The skin can be orange, yellow, red or a combination of several shades. The pulp is juicy, and the nectarine itself is sweeter than a peach; it is characterized by dietary properties. It is eaten mainly in fresh (raw) form, but is very tasty and dried. They do the same things with it as with peach - they make jam, freeze it for future use, and can it.

How to choose the right one

The nectarine season lasts from May to September, but the ripest and most delicious fruits can be purchased at markets in July-August. When purchasing nectarines, you should choose fruits that have brightly colored skin and a good aroma. You should not purchase already bruised fruits; nectarines should only give in a little when pressed lightly. If the seed of a fruit falls apart, this is a sure sign that it has been sufficiently saturated with fertilizers and pesticides. It is undesirable to eat such a fruit, because the seed contains hydrocyanic acid. Both the seed and the fruit itself should be smooth and dense, without dents or signs of rot.

How to store it correctly

Ripe fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the nectarines are not quite ripe, then you need to put them in a paper bag. Add an apple there, pricked with a knife in several places. Thus, the fruits can ripen in just 1 day, otherwise you just need to look into the bag every day. When touching each other, the fruits ripen faster. When contact occurs, dents may form on the fruits, accelerating the rotting process. That is why it is recommended to store them in such a way that there is some distance between the fruits.

Calorie content

Nectarine is considered a low-calorie fruit, despite its significant sugar content. In terms of its composition, it consists of almost 90 percent water. Due to its low calorie content (only 44 per 100 grams), it is ideal for consumption by people who monitor the balance and calorie content of their food intake.

Nutritional value per 100 grams

Nectarine is considered rich not only in potassium, ascorbic acid, iron and phosphorus, but also in provitamin A. It contains 201 mg of potassium, 26 mg of phosphorus, and 9 mg of magnesium. As already mentioned, the liquid content is more than 87%, the specific gravity of fat is only 0.32 g per 100 grams of product, carbohydrates 8.85 g, proteins 1.06 g. The highest content of the following vitamins in nectarine: beta-carotene (150 mcg) , vitamin B5 (0.185 mg), vitamin B4 (6.2 mg), vitamin C (5.4 mg), vitamin B3 (1.125 mg).

Beneficial properties of nectarine

The benefits of nectarine for the health of the human body are determined by the content of a complex of minerals, vitamins and microelements in it. The nectarine skin contains a significant proportion of useful elements, which is why it is better to wash it thoroughly, but not peel it before eating. Nectarines are rich in fructose and fiber. The preventive effect of consuming this fruit for cancer patients is known. It promotes normal secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

Thanks to the content of vitamins A and C, moisture is retained in skin cells, which prevents drying and aging. Potassium has a positive effect on the normalization of the functioning of the nervous system, and fiber affects the functioning of the intestines, preventing the occurrence of digestive diseases. In addition, due to the lowering effect of cholesterol levels, the cardiovascular system and blood pressure return to normal. For all these ailments and disorders, doctors recommend taking a small amount of fresh nectarine juice on an empty stomach.

There are more than three hundred types of peaches, and they bear fruit from June to September. If during the spring frosts their heat-loving flowers were not damaged by frost, then peaches usually produce a bountiful harvest. The last days of peaches ripening are characterized by a rapid increase in fruit weight. Therefore, you need to be very careful and responsible when harvesting.

Basically, fruits begin to be picked when they change their basic color. For varieties with white flesh, the optimal moment to start harvesting is the period when the green color turns to creamy, for varieties with yellow flesh - to a yellowish color. Taking peaches off the tree too early is as big a mistake as harvesting them too late.

Early removal will cause the fruits to have a wrinkled appearance, and if the fruits are overripe, they will quickly rot.

If the fruits are consumed locally, they must be picked as fully ripe fruits.

If you plan to transport fruit, then you need to take into account its duration and delivery method.

If the harvested peach crop will be transported in refrigerated conditions, then the fruit must be removed 5 days before full ripening. Only hard fruits that are not yet very brightly colored are suitable for long-distance transportation.

Peaches do not all ripen at once, so harvesting occurs selectively in several stages. Peach fruits are very delicate and are easily damaged when pressed with a finger. Therefore, it is better to pick them with gloves and the whole hand. This will help avoid damage to the protective fleecy cover. First you need to turn the fruit, and then simply break it off from the ring with the “tail” and put it in a container.

Features of storing peaches

Where and how to store peaches at home? This question interests all lovers of these amazingly tasty fruits. Peaches cannot be stored for very long. They tend to quickly wither, lose moisture and rot. However, there are a number of certain conditions, subject to which the shelf life of fruits will be significantly extended:

Plastic bags are not suitable for storing peaches due to condensation and lack of air.

In such conditions, tender fruits will quickly deteriorate and begin to rot.

How to make peaches ripen faster at home?

Typically, the ripeness of a peach is determined by its color. But sometimes this opinion turns out to be erroneous, since the side of the fruit that has been in the sun for a longer time is the first to receive a more saturated red color.

The presence of small green or white spots may indicate that the fruit is not yet ripe. These fruits are quite hard to the touch, the skin is not elastic. However, even when picked, this fruit can acquire the degree of maturity it needs. If the peaches are still completely unripe, this is not a problem. The issue can be solved quite easily without resorting to particularly complex devices.

Peaches should only ripen at room temperature. You should not put them in the refrigerator, as they will not be able to ripen there, but will quickly spoil.

Method number 1 - use a paper bag

In order to quickly ripen peaches, you should use a bag of brown wrapping paper. Plastic bags are not suitable for this, as fruits spoil too quickly in them.

The fruits must be placed in a bag. You can also place a banana or an apple there. They will speed up the ripening process of peaches. Next, the peaches are placed in a dry, dark place at a temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius for a day.

If after this time the fruits have acquired a pleasant aroma and become softer, it means they can be eaten. Otherwise, they must be placed back in the bag for another day. This must be repeated until the fruits are ripe. They should then be stored in the refrigerator.

Method number 2 - use linen fabric

You need to lay out a clean linen napkin or towel (you can use a cotton one) on the kitchen countertop. Peaches are placed with the cuttings tightly downwards, maintaining the same distance between the fruits.

The fruits should not touch each other, otherwise they will quickly deteriorate. Then the fruit should be covered with another linen napkin on top. They must be completely covered so that there is no influx of fresh air anywhere.

The peaches will be ready in a few days. If after 2-3 days they are not ready, repeat the procedure again. Fruits prepared in this way will be especially aromatic and soft to the touch.

Breeders have developed many peach varieties that have different ripening times. When choosing a seedling, consider this parameter. If you don’t know what type of peach grows in your area, pick the fruits only when they begin to change color.

Ripe peaches give off a distinct aroma

Fruiting time for peaches

Depending on the region, you need to choose a variety suitable for planting, then there will be no problems with harvesting and caring for the tree. You can always check the gardener's reference book and determine the exact time to pick peaches.

When peaches ripen, it all depends on the early maturity of the species. If you want to harvest in July, plant an early variety on your plot; if it is preferable to do this in August or September, plant a middle and late variety.

Early

This variety of varieties includes peaches: Kiev Early, White Swan, Grisboro and Redhaven, Morettini.

The peculiarity of early ripening fruits is that they vegetate faster and enter the fruiting stage. Even seedlings at the age of 2 years produce a small but good harvest. Peak fruiting occurs in the 5th year after planting in open ground.

Advantages of early varieties:

• have a wide, naturally well-formed crown, no more than 5 m high;
• the fruiting phase begins quickly;
• You can harvest the tree from July to August;
• The fruits are tasty and aromatic and have excellent characteristics.

Almost all early varieties of peaches tolerate transportation well, with the only exception being the Morettini peach.

Middle term

This variety includes plants: Collins, Cardinal, Golden Moscow, Sibiryak, Saturn, Kremlevsky, Donskoy, Crimean.

Mid-ripening peaches are resistant to various diseases, winter-hardy, and do not require special care.

They bear fruit later than the early varieties - fruiting is active from August to September, and they tolerate transportation well.

Late

Ideal for cultivation in the southern regions, they have excellent taste and stable yield. Late varieties include Frost, Veteran and Fury peaches.

Abundant fruiting begins only 5 years after planting in open ground, but such a wait pays off with interest. The tree can be harvested in early September and until the end of the month. The ripeness of this variety is determined by the change in color of the fruit to bright with blush.

Peach variety Fury

When to pick peaches from the tree

Experts say that the most delicious peaches and their varieties are nectarines and the Crimean variety. Their collection begins from July to August.

Peaches do not all ripen at once, so harvesting occurs selectively, in several approaches.

Early harvesting of fruits is no less destructive than picking overripe peaches. In the first case, they will wrinkle and take on an ugly appearance, in the second, they will quickly rot.

If this fruit crop grows on your site, then you have definitely wondered when to pick peaches correctly. The question here is ambiguous, it all depends on the characteristics of the variety. Some breeders claim that fruits can be picked when a color change occurs and a delicate aroma appears, others refer to the age of the tree and the region. But there are also general characteristics of ripe fruits, based on which you can harvest:

• strong aroma and bright color, a peach filled with color is almost always ripe, but there are varieties for which this is not an indicator;
• if the peach is easily separated from the stalk and there is a bright side, it’s time to pick, but there is an exception to this rule - there are varieties where the peach is not securely attached to the stalk even before it is fully ripe;
• when pressing on the pulp, it is slightly dented, the skin returns to its place - the fruit is elastic, but not hard.

When deciding on the ripeness of peaches, compare all the general characteristics and individual characteristics of the variety at once. This way you will avoid early harvesting and rotting of the crop, which is destructive for the fruits.

Peaches must be picked by hand and carefully placed in boxes.

What to do to make peaches ripen faster

If you picked the fruits early and they turned out to be unripe, use popular advice. They will help the peaches ripen and instead of disappointment you will get pleasure.

Paper bag

Craft paper is an ideal option for green peaches to ripen correctly. You cannot use plastic bags - ethylene from the fruit in them will lead to rapid rotting. But paper breathes and absorbs unnecessary moisture.

Place the peaches in a craft bag along with the record holders for ethylene production - a banana or an apple - this way they will ripen much faster. Place in a dark place for 24 hours. After this time, check if the fruits have a pleasant aroma and are noticeably pink - you can eat.

Repeat the procedure several times until the peaches are completely ripened. The method is also suitable for nectarines, apples, plums and kiwis.

Important: you should not crush the sides even of green fruits - in this place the pulp ripens faster and begins to rot.

Linen fabric

Spread the napkin on a flat surface and arrange the fruit with the places where the stalk is attached, facing down. Each fruit should not touch the other, but do not put too much distance between them. Cover the fruit with the other end of the fabric, you need to tuck it in on all sides so as to stop the flow of air.

Fruits do not ripen as quickly in a linen napkin as in a paper bag - the process will take several days. After they become soft and fragrant, they can be eaten.

Ripening peaches using a linen napkin

Conclusion

The ripening time of peaches depends on the variety. There are general recommendations that allow you not to make a mistake with the moment of withdrawal, but they are not universal. Additionally, you need to include horticultural reference materials with a description of the variety and characteristics of ripe fruits. If you still harvested early, you can use a special method to make the fruits become fragrant and ready to eat.

If you do not plan to eat peaches immediately after purchasing them, then it is recommended to purchase fruits without damage to the skin, with sufficient surface hardness and without broken dents. Peaches with soft skin or dents resulting from improper transportation can be eaten, but they cannot be stored. A way out of this situation may be to prepare compote or jam, for which such fruits are considered an ideal option.

The nuances of storing peaches at home:

• Peaches cannot be stored in plastic bags (in the absence of oxygen and under the influence of condensation accumulation, the fruits will quickly deteriorate);
• Peaches can be stored indoors, in the refrigerator, in basements, cellars and even on the balcony;
• It is recommended to store peaches in paper or paper bags (in this way, peaches are stored in the refrigerator or at room conditions);
• when storing peaches, do not stack the fruits on top of each other (under such conditions their shelf life will be shortened);
• if there are a lot of peaches, then it is better to use special fruit boxes with cells for storing them (this design will prevent damage to the fruit under its own weight);
• peaches are often used to speed up the ripening process of other fruits, but the peaches themselves also become ripe and spoil faster (this nuance must be taken into account when choosing “neighbors” for peaches during their storage);
• if the peaches are not ripe, then they should only be stored at room temperature (in the refrigerator these fruits will not ripen and will begin to deteriorate quickly);
• a large number of peaches can be stored in a regular box, but the fruits must be sprinkled with sand or wrapped in paper (you can use regular newspaper or papyrus);
• cut peaches can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen;
• You can freeze peaches not only in sliced, but also in whole form (you can even freeze peaches with pits).

If you plan in advance to store peaches for a long time, you can use a simple but effective method of preparing the fruit. First, the fruits must be kept for 3-4 days at room temperature, and then placed in a box. During the laying process, the fruits should be sprinkled with sand or wrapped in paper. When kept at room temperature, a certain amount of moisture comes out of the peaches, and if the necessary conditions for further storage are created, their freshness and juiciness will be extended.

How long and at what temperature should you store peaches?

At room temperature, ripe peaches can stay fresh for several days. When choosing a storage location, you should choose dark and as cool places as possible. If the peaches are soft or have the first signs of rotting, then after a while they will begin to rot. A similar situation will happen with bruised fruits.

The optimal temperature for storing peaches is considered to be 0 degrees.. This mode is provided in compartments for storing fruit in refrigerators and is created in cellars or basements. The higher the temperature, the less the peaches will retain their freshness. At 0 degrees the fruits are stored for several weeks depending on the degree of ripeness.

The difference in shelf life at room conditions and in the refrigerator for peaches is approximately one week. In the cold, the fruits remain juicy and fresh longer. However, you must follow the rules for storing them in any case. Peaches can remain fresh for several months only in special warehouses, so immediately after purchasing them, you need to determine the time of consumption of the fruit and take appropriate measures for their storage.

Once cut, peaches should only be stored in the refrigerator. Their shelf life in this case will be several days. You can extend it by placing the fruits in a container with a lid. If the peaches have been cut and not eaten within two days, it is best to freeze them, which will extend their shelf life by months.

Frozen peaches will keep for several months.. It is better to pre-sort the fruits into portions. Like any other food, peaches should not be re-frozen. A distinctive feature of this type of fruit is the ability to maintain the structure of the pulp after exposure to low temperatures.

It's hard to get away from a ripe peach. Its taste is somewhat reminiscent of melon, but still remains special. Fruits are unusually good during the ripening season. But you can’t eat too many of them at once; you want to prolong the pleasure.

Information on how to store peaches will help you enjoy the juicy fruits of summer longer.

How to preserve ripe peaches longer

To ensure that the taste of peaches does not disappoint and they last for at least a few days, you need to choose the right fruits. When putting fruits in a basket, you should pay attention to the following:

• The fruits should not have dents, damage to the skin, spots of rot or greenery.
• Peaches give off a pleasant aroma.
• The fruit is covered with a red blush.
• There is no need to give up irregularly shaped fruits. If they are not damaged, then such peaches are considered to be the most delicious.
• When you lightly press the fruit, the pulp is slightly pressed out.
• The bone should not fall apart or be wrinkled. If this is the case, then the peaches have been heavily chemically treated and are not safe to eat.

In order for the fruits to remain in good condition longer, they need to be transferred to the refrigerator, choosing a place intended for fruits.

Peaches store best in paper bags. You should not use polyethylene ones, since they soak fruits in moisture and spoil faster.

Ripe peaches keep well in the refrigerator for a week or a little longer.

Unripe peaches: how to store

Peaches are one of those fruits that can ripen when picked from the tree. Therefore, most often slightly unripe fruits are used for transportation.

You shouldn’t avoid them, although they are slightly inferior in sweetness to their tree-ripened relatives. The reason is that when a peach is picked, sugar stops being produced. Surely, there are those for whom this feature of unripe fruits is positive.

For peaches to ripen, they should be placed in a cozy corner of the kitchen. They will only be able to turn into ripe fruit at room temperature. In the refrigerator, the fruits will either spoil or remain the same as they were at first.

Peaches ripen faster when mixed with other fruits. Therefore, apples, pears, and bananas can be placed next to unripe fruits. After a couple of days, the peaches begin to turn red and turn into juicy fruits that are ready to be eaten.

How to preserve your peach harvest longer

The following conditions must be met:

• Choose the right storage location. The temperature should be above zero, but not exceed two degrees. Optimal air humidity is 85–90%. Some peaches can be placed in the refrigerator, the rest in the cellar or pantry.
• Each fruit must be wrapped in paper. For indoor storage, boxes with or without compartments are suitable. Lay out the peaches in two or three layers. It is advisable that there is a small distance between the fruits.
• It is necessary to place containers with peaches away from other fruits, since they can “help” each other to deteriorate faster.

If these conditions are met, peaches can be stored for a month. It is necessary to periodically check the fruits and remove those that begin to rot.

Other long-term storage methods for peaches

• Sweet, sour and sweet fruits are suitable for dry. In this form, peaches can be stored for more than one year. You can dry the fruits in the sun or using a fruit dryer. For this procedure, peaches are cut in half or into four slices and the pit is removed.
• Storage in sand. Slightly unripe fruits of late varieties should be selected. They should be firm and free from blemishes. For three or four days, the peaches are left in a dark room with good ventilation. During this time, the fruit will lose a significant part of its moisture.

  Then the fruits are wrapped in paper and placed in boxes in no more than four layers. The space between the peaches is generously covered with dry and clean river sand. The fruits do not spoil for two to three months.

• Freezing peaches. It is possible that this is the most optimal way to preserve fruit for a long period (up to a year) without losing all its beneficial properties. The fruits are frozen both whole and in slices. Fruits with pits should be placed in a container or bag and placed in the freezer.

  Peach slices are frozen with syrup. To prepare the latter, mix four cups of cold water with three cups of sugar. Three tablets of ascorbic acid are added to the mixture.

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