Fresh peaches--should I put them in the refrigerator or not?

[raccoon]

I've heard that with tomatoes, that if you put them in the frig, they get mealy. What about peaches?

[Fox Mulder]

1. If they need to ripen,

then put them in a brown paper bag and fold the bag closed and leave them on the counter overnight.

Otherwise, if they are ripe, then put them in the fridge and eat them within three to five days.

[TAPat]

2. You can and it doesn't seem to alter

the texture too much, but they won't seem as sweet when cold - just my personal observation.
I, in fact, am making peach butter today. Yummy....
BTW - it is true that tomatoes become mealy when refrigerated.

[NewWaveChick1981]

3. I wouldn't put them in the fridge right away, but make sure you

put them on a tray or counter spaced apart so they don't touch. Peach mold has a way of spreading like wildfire if peaches are close together or touching. I usually buy my peaches from the regional farmers' market, and they are sooooo goood.... But they can overripen just looking at them, and I hate to have them spoil. If you are going to use them within a day or so, keep them on the counter or tray. If you'll have them longer, you should put them in the refrigerator. :)

[livetohike]

4. You will have enough Carolina/Georgia peaches to actually

put away - I'm envious :-).

When I lived in S. Carolina, my husband and I would buy a bag at a roadside stand and EAT THEM ALL in one sitting.

I think they lose some taste in the fridge, on the other hand if you leave them out, they spoil pretty quickly. If you have enough, make a pie or two and freeze those.

[RebelOne]

5. I'm in Georgia and a co-worker just brought in a big basket of peaches.

He has a peach tree in his yard.

[livetohike]

6. Oh RebelOne this thread is bringing back some good memories

It has been at least 10 years since I have had a real Georgia peach, the kind that takes up the whole palm of your hand and is juicy as can be.....

Last month a neighbor gave me a bag of peaches from his tree. They were the size of golf balls. I made a pie out of them though.