How to Freeze and Store Georgia Peaches

Peach aficionados agree: when it comes to sweet peach flavor, nothing beats the sweetness and superior flavor of fresh Georgia Peaches. Georgia peaches get their legendary flavor courtesy of the southern state’s hot, humid summer nights, which allow still-growing fresh peaches to produce sugar around the clock right up until they’re picked – something that doesn’t happen in other states. Once you’ve bitten into a juicy, melting Georgia Peach from Pittman & Davis, you’ll never be able to settle for a hard, dry, flavorless store-bought peach again!

How to Enjoy Georgia Peaches Year-Round

The best way to enjoy Georgia Peaches is to just bite into one and let the sweet, sticky juice run down your chin – but that’s not the only way to enjoy them. Try slicing them up and adding them to your cereal, yogurt, or summer salad. Bake them in a crumble, cobbler, or pie. Add a slice to your iced tea. Cut them in half, coat them in olive oil, and throw them on the grill. Drizzle them with honey or cream. The possibilities are limitless – you and your family will enjoy Georgia Peach recipes all summer long! But does your enjoyment of Georgia Peaches in your favorite recipes have to stop with summer?

Georgia Peaches have just one drawback – their short season and crop size.

Georgia typically has fewer hard freezes and more consistent rainfall and year-over-year temperatures than other peach-producing states. This means better peach flavor, but not quite so many peaches. It’s because of this that we encourage Pittman & Davis customers to order their peaches from Georgia as soon as they become available. Your fruit will arrive at its peak of ripeness and ready to enjoy…store it in the fridge away from other fruits or in a mesh bag on the counter. You’re sure to use them up quickly!

Peaches are a summer fruit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite peach recipes any time of year. Peaches freeze beautifully, so go ahead and stock up on Pittman & Davis Georgia Peaches to enjoy now – and later!

Ways to Freeze Georgia Peaches

Frozen peaches retain both their color and flavor even better than canned peaches and work wonderfully in smoothies, crisps, and crumbles, oatmeal – even jam.

There are several ways to freeze your fresh Georgia Peaches. Start by carefully washing and thoroughly drying your ripe, unbruised fruits, and use one of the following methods:

• Peeled and sliced. Remove the skins from your peaches (either by peeling or blanching), then cut them into slices. Spread the peach slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Freeze for at least 4 hours and at most overnight, then transfer the slices to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Use a straw to suck extra air from the bag, seal, and store.
• Peeled with skins on. Slice the peaches and soak the slices in a bath of 4 cups water plus 2 cups lemon juice for five minutes. Drain the slices and arrange them on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 4 hours and at most overnight, then transfer the slices to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Use a straw to suck extra air from the bag, seal, and store.
• Whole. Whole peaches can be frozen peeled or with the skins on. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 8 hours and at most overnight, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store.
• Puréed. Purée peeled, pitted peaches in a blender or food processor. Add ⅛ teaspoon of ascorbic acid per each quart of fruit. Pack into a freezer-safe container, being sure to leave space at the top. Seal and freeze.

A Few Tips

Georgia Peaches will retain their wonderful flavor for up to a year when stored in the freezer. Peach skins toughen when frozen, which is why most people remove the skins before freezing – otherwise you’ll have to let them thaw before taking the skins off. Whole frozen peaches will need to be thawed before attempting to remove the pits. You can remove the pits and cut your peaches in half or chunks instead of slicing them prior to freezing, but sliced peaches are generally the most versatile when used in recipes.

Remember… Georgia Peach season doesn’t last long, so be sure to place your order soon so you can enjoy this wonderful fruit this summer and all year long!

Farm Fresh Gifts Since 1926

For nearly a century, Pittman & Davis has shared the bold, sun-kissed flavors of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. From tree-ripened citrus to smoked meats, pastries, and handcrafted specialties, every gift reflects the land it comes from, the people who craft it, and the unforgettable taste it delivers.

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