How to Make Peaches Ripen Faster

A freshly picked peach may need to ripen.

An unripened peach leaves much to be desired for those of us who want to eat it raw or use it in a recipe. Fortunately, there is a solution to speed up the peach's ripening process. Peaches, like other fruits, release ethylene gas that stimulates the ripening process. The trick is to contain the gas so that it builds up around the peaches causing them to ripen quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Paper bag
• peaches

Instructions

1. Place the peaches in the bottom of a brown paper bag. Be careful not to bruise them when you are handling them.

2. Arrange the peaches so that they are in a single layer on the bottom of the bag. They should not be stacked or touching one another.

3. Fold over the top of the bag to loosely close it. Place the bag at room temperature in an area where it will not be disturbed.

4. Check the peaches approximately 24 hours after you bag them. A ripened peach will have a strong, fruity aroma and a medium-soft flesh to the touch. If not ripe, continue checking the peaches at 12 to 24 hour intervals. Once ripened, place the peaches in the refrigerator to preserve them.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also place the peaches in a cardboard box and cover the box with a sheet of newspaper.

• Chilling slows down the ripening process. Do not place the bag of peaches in the refrigerator until ripened.

References

• The New York Times: Peaches News
• Recipe Gold Mine: Peaches
• Newton: Ethylene Process