Selecting the right fruit for the recipe
California Peaches and Nectarines
Peaches and nectarines can be used firm, soft or somewhere in between, depending on recipe requirements. The softer the fruit becomes, the sweeter and juicer it will be. For grilling slices of fruit, firmer fruit will work best because it will soften as it cooks.
California Plums
A plum that is ready to use should feel a bit springy to the touch and have a fragrant plum aroma. Most plums have tangy skin and sweet flesh, and as they ripen and soften, the skin becomes less tangy and the flesh becomes sweeter.
Prep Tips
- Preparing fresh California peaches, plums and nectarines is quick and easy; just rinse under cool water and they're ready to use.
- There’s no need to peel peaches, plums or nectarines, unless the recipe calls for it, as most peach fuzz is removed when the fruit is packed.
- If peeling is necessary, first cut a small X in the bottom of the peach. Using a slotted spoon, immerse the peach in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds, then remove and place briefly in ice water. Remove the peach from the ice water and peel from the X. If the skin does not peel back easily, immerse the fruit in the boiling
Selecting the Right Size
California Peaches and Nectarines
California’s peach and nectarine size designations are based on the number of pieces of fruit in the traditional two-layer box. For example, there are 56 pieces of fruit in a two-layer box of 56 size peaches or nectarines. Summerwhite® peaches and nectarines are often packed in one layer boxes, in which the number of fruit per box is half that of a two-layer box. Double the one-layer box size to find its two-layer equivalent.
The most common peach and nectarine sizes are 48, 56, 64, 72 and 80 (also 88 and 96 for nectarines only). The most common sizes in one-layer boxes are 18, 21, 24, 28 and 32.
California Plums
Plum sizing is based on the number of plums in a 10-pound sample of fruit. The most common sizes are 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70. Divide the size by 10 to figure the number of plums per pound. To determine the total number of plums in the standard 28-pound volumefill box, multiply the size by 2.8.
(Graphic/button/call-to-action: For more detailed information on ripening and handling visit Cal State PPN, the learning center for EVERYTHING California peaches, plums and nectarines)