Each year peach season brings with it many different questions about varieties, ripeness, canning, etc.  So we’ve decided to compile this handy frequently asked questions sheet.  If you have any other questions feel free to ask one of our knowledgeable staff!

Varieties

Early Sweetheart – Late July
This variety is the first of the peaches, great flavor, and skin that peels easily.  A medium sized peach that is great for fresh eating. This is a clingstone.

Early Red Haven – Late July
This colorful peach has great flavor and is medium sized. – clingstone

Red Haven – Beginning of August
This classic is our best selling peach.  The flavor is outstanding!  This large variety is great for canning or fresh eating.  *semi freestone – easily comes off the stone when fully ripe.

Fair Haven – Early August
One of the first freestone varieties.  A fair colored, medium sized peach.

Glo Haven – Mid August 
Known for its distinctive tiger stripe coloring and great flavor, this large peach is a favorite for canning.  *Freestone

Crest Haven – Late August to Early September
The last of our peach varieties, a good canning peach.  *Freestone

Peach ripeness

1. Our peaches are harvested at a firm ripe stage. This is as ripe as we can allow them to get so they can still be handled by pickers and be transported to our packing shed.  This ripeness allows them to develop full flavor. When you purchase our peaches they may still be firm. Allow them to ripen at room temperature for two or three days and they will be perfect for fresh eating.
2. For canning, peaches need to be allowed to fully ripen to the stage where they are beginning to soften. If you plan to can your peaches take them out of the box and spread them out. This allows for faster more even ripening. The rate at which your peaches ripen varies by the temperature they are kept at. At room temperature, peaches will usually take 5 – 8 days before they are ready to can.

The free stone question

The term freestone refers to how easily the peach pit comes away from the flesh of the peach. “Early Sweetheart” and “Early Red Haven” are not freestone at all. Red Haven is classified as semi-freestone which means that if the peach is allowed to fully ripen the pit will come away easily. Glo Haven and crest haven are full freestone varieties.

Whatever variety you choose, our peaches are always fresh, tasty and so juicy you should eat them in a bathtub. Our standard for quality is very high, and we all enjoy the delicious peaches that the Okanagan has a reputation for.