Lindy Valdez
Peaches are particularly healthy and also very popular thanks to their intense taste. They can not only be enjoyed pure but also processed into jam, cake, or fruit salad. What nutrients does the fruit contain? And what should you pay attention to when storing?
Peaches: That’s why they’re so healthy
Peaches are healthy because they are full of healthy ingredients: peaches score points with vitamin A, vitamins B1 and B2, and vitamin C. It also contains minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium.
The nutritional values of peaches at a glance (100 grams raw):
- Calories: 45
- Carbohydrates: 9 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
What should be considered when buying peaches?
When buying peaches, the first thing you should do is examine the skin: a good quality fresh peach will not have cracks or spots. Because the fruit is very sensitive, there may be isolated bruises. You can already tell the taste of the fruit from the scent: the peach should have an intense fruity smell.
How to store peaches
Peaches can be kept at room temperature after purchase, where they can ripen a little longer. However, do not stack the fruit to avoid bruising. Ripe peaches should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days.
What should be considered when eating peaches?
After washing them thoroughly under running water, peaches are safe to eat. You can eat as many fruits as you like. Whether the furry shell is eaten is purely a matter of taste. However, this does not apply to the core: as with apricots, the stone contains toxic hydrocyanic acid, which is harmful to health.
For this reason, many consumers shy away from fruits that have a split stone. However, according to the Bavarian consumer advice center, there is no reason for this. The head office points out that although small traces of hydrogen cyanide can get into the pulp through a damaged stone, these pose no risk to children or adults.
Ways to Prepare Peaches
Peaches taste great on their own or in a fruit salad and can be used in a variety of desserts and cakes. A popular dessert in France is peach melba, a combination of blanched peach with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce. In cakes, the stone fruit is best in a quark or cheese cream.
If you have a lot of ripe peaches left over, you can make jam or can them in sugar water to enjoy their flavor even in winter. Peach also tastes good in savory dishes: As a spicy chutney, it goes well with a cheese platter or grilled meat, for example.
Tip: If you can’t get enough of peaches and their healthy ingredients, you should grab them in the season from July to September: The stone fruit is harvested in Europe during this period.
