It’s Peach Season

View in browser The other day I answered a phone call of a guest inquiring about peaches. The question was: “Do you pick your peaches ripe off the tree or will they all be green in the store?”. I thought this was a great question, and it is one we often get asked.    Some fruits, like apples and melons, are ripened completely on the tree or vine. After harvest they will not grow any sweeter or juicier; the wait is truly over and they can be enjoyed right from our store. Peaches, apricots and plums, on the other hand, are harvested a little differently. Family Recipes: How to Can Peaches There is nothing better than enjoying fresh peaches during the summer months, but does it have to end there? Learn to can peaches with Tamra Davison and you can have peaches all year round!     They are aptly called ‘soft fruits’ because, well, that is what they are! When these fruits are truly ripe they are very tender, soft and SWEET. But the trade-off is they bruise and spoil very easily. Thankfully, soft fruits continue to ripen after they are removed from the tree. At our farm we harvest our peaches when they are fully mature, but still firm. This ensures that we are able to sort and pack them without causing damage, allowing them to get to your fruit bowl in excellent condition, just before they are completely ripe. What this also means, however, is that when you buy peaches, you are going to want to let them ripen for three or four days at room temperature, getting them to their full flavor potential before devouring them.    As I explained this, the guest on the phone interrupted me: “Just a minute. I've been waiting for three years for these peaches and now you’re telling me I have to have the self-control to look at them, smell them …but wait longer to eat them?” He sighed. “I just don't think I can do that!”    “Well, you can eat them right away,” I laughed, “but they are going to be crunchy. And a crunchy peach is not as sweet or luxurious as a soft peach. You can do it,” I urged. “Enjoy looking at them and smelling them …the anticipation will only make them taste even sweeter.”    We never came to a final conclusion on if he’d listen to my advice or not, but it did make us both chuckle, and even make our mouths water for sweet, juicy peaches all the more.    After three years of winter damage to our beautiful peach orchard, we are delighted to say that the Peach Harvest is here!! And just as distance makes the heart grow fonder, the waiting has made the peach taste sweeter.    Come on up to the farm and get them now. Laura, For the Family Farm Techniques: Fruit Thinning  Ever wondered why we remove some apples, pears and peaches while they’re still small? This process is called Fruit Thinning and it helps the remaining apples grow bigger, healthier, and more flavourful by giving them more space and nutrients. You can catch a glimpse of this behind-the-scenes work in action in the video! Come visit us and see what’s happening in the orchard, there’s always something to discover! 🌿👩‍🌾🍎 Know a peach lover? 🍑 Send this their way. Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter and stay in the loop on all things Davison just in time for peach season. Here’s what’s inside: 🍑 What’s ripe and ready 👀 Behind-the-scenes orchard updates 🍹 Easy summer recipes 🎟️ Event invites and sweet offers Don’t miss out. Subscribe now and celebrate peach season with us! Subscribe to our Newsletter! "to be a sustainable farm business that builds loyal customers, fulfilled staff and positive memories in a wholesome environment for our community to enjoy." Davison Orchards 3111 Davison Road, Vernon 250-549-3266   Davisonorchards.ca I want to unsubscribe