Peaches typically peak during May through June & July in Nagaland. In order to produce good local peaches, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions. Peaches are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon. If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Peaches more than 14 inches deep will bruise the fruit on the bottom. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. When you get home 1. Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or damaged fruit to use immediately. 2. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and freeze them up! 3. Even under ideal conditions peaches will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase How to tell if the peaches are ripe! • Attached to the tree: Peaches are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn't ripe! Peaches will not ripen further once removed from the tree (they only "soften") • Color: Green is definitely unripe, but you can't use red color as an indicator of how ripe a peach is. Different peach varieties have differing amounts of red blush in their natural coloring. Pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow, orange, red (or a combination). The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white. • Softness: unless you like your peaches very firm, pick your peaches with just a little "give" when gently pressed. Peaches at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Peaches won't ripen very much after picking! • Odor: It should smell sweet and ripe! Tips on How to Pick Peaches Peach is softer than most fruit, so it is important to pick a peach gently, with little pressure. Using the sides of your fingers rather your fingertips helps to avoid bruising. Grab the peach firmly and pull it straight off the branch. DON'T drop the peach into the basket, but set it in gently!
Jessica Dohtdong Programme Assistant, (H.Sc.) KVK, Wokha
