HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT SOUTH CAROLINA PEACH
Q&A with Cotton Hills Farm’s Caroline Wilson
Peach season is here, and there is nothing better than a fresh, juicy peach. Georgia may be called “The Peach State,” but South Carolina actually produces more peaches per season, making it a leading state.
To help you pick a perfect South Carolina peach, we asked Caroline Wilson with Cotton Hills Farm in Chester County some questions about this seasonal fruit.
What is the “Perfect Peach” to You?
While Georgia gets the nickname “The Peach State,” I believe the perfect peach is one that’s locally grown in South Carolina. When you buy local, the peaches are allowed to tree-ripen. This means the peaches stay on the tree until they reach their maximum flavor and sweetness. You may also hear people talk about their favorite peaches based on the variety.
At Cotton Hills Farm, we grow 18 different varieties of peaches. Some of our most popular varieties are Loring, O’Henry and July Prince. These three are all yellow flesh, freestone peaches. My favorite peach variety is actually a white flesh peach called China Pearl.
What is Your Favorite Part About Growing Peaches at the Farm?
While I love getting to have fresh peaches all summer long, my favorite part is getting to watch the peach orchard change with each season of the year. The peaches go from being dormant all winter to gorgeous pink buds once they begin to bloom in the spring. In the summer, it’s full of sweet, colorful peaches. In the fall, all the green leaves turn bright orange. The peach orchard is truly beautiful all year long.
What Do You Look For When Identifying a Ripe and Flavorful Peach?
When picking peaches, one of the first things you want to look for is color. A ripe peach will be full of color—red, yellow or orange. This lets you know it’s ready to be picked. Another thing to look for is shape. You want to find a peach that is round and with a good size to it. It will also have a sweet “peachy” smell.
When you touch a ripe peach, you can feel it beginning to soften. If it’s hard, it still needs more time on the tree. The ideal softness all depends on when you want to enjoy your peaches once you take them home. One of the best things about peaches is you can pick a few that are soft and ripe to enjoy now and some that are a little firmer to enjoy later.
How Do You Recommend Storing Peaches at Home to Maintain Quality?
To allow your peaches to ripen, just store them on the counter at room temperature. You can move them to the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process to be able to enjoy them longer if needed.
Do You Have Any Favorite Peach Recipes?
For me, nothing says summer like homemade peach ice cream on a hot day. You also can’t go wrong with a peach cobbler or peach cake. My newest favorite peach recipe is a peach bundt cake with brown sugar icing from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
How Can People Pick Peaches at Cotton Hills Farm?
Our U-pick peach orchard is open 9AM-4PM every Friday and Saturday now until July 6th. Stop in The Market before heading to the orchard for directions and a basket. Once you finish picking, head back inside to have your peaches weighed. U-pick peach season may be extended depending on how the peaches hold up, so be sure to check Cotton Hills Farm’s website or social media for updates.