We recently purchased a bushel of peaches from a local seller, and let me tell you, they are absolutely magnificent. The peaches were picked just yesterday, so they are incredibly fresh and bursting with flavor. However, this purchase left me with a lingering question: just how many peaches are in a bushel?
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The Peachy Details
A bushel of peaches weighs approximately 50 pounds, which is equivalent to about 150 peaches. So, each pound of peaches contains around 3 medium-sized peaches. It’s important to note that the size of the peaches doesn’t matter in terms of quantity, as it all comes down to the weight. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you can estimate that a bushel weighs around 50 pounds.
If you think 50 pounds of peaches sounds like a lot, you’re absolutely right! It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to consume that many peaches before they spoil. So, let’s explore some other options for making the most of the bountiful harvest.
Peach Measurement Guide
To help you navigate your peachy endeavors, here are some common peach conversions and measurements:
- One bushel consists of approximately 50 pounds of peaches.
- A pound of peaches typically includes 3 medium-sized peaches or 2 large peaches.
- One pound of peaches equates to roughly 4 cups of sliced peaches.
- You’ll need about 10 peaches to make a 9-inch pie.
- Canning enthusiasts will be pleased to know that one bushel translates to roughly 12 quarts of canned peaches.
- If you’re wondering, a peck is a quarter of a bushel.
Extending the Life of Your Peaches
Now that you possess an abundance of peaches, it’s essential to know how long they will remain fresh. Typically, peaches can last up to three days at room temperature. After that, they will be fully ripened and won’t stay fresh for much longer. To expedite the ripening process, store your peaches in a paper bag. However, if you want your peaches to last a bit longer, refrigerate them in a plastic bag. This should give you an additional week, but bear in mind that refrigerated peaches won’t be as flavorful as those ripened at room temperature.
Identifying Fresh Peaches
To ensure you’re starting with top-quality produce, here are some tips for checking the freshness of your peaches. Gently squeeze the peaches, feeling for slight give between your fingers. A ripe peach will be extremely soft. Additionally, look for peaches with a deep golden yellow color. The appearance of minor redness doesn’t necessarily indicate ripeness. Wrinkles around the stem are a positive sign, as they signify the peach’s juiciness and flavor intensity.
Before consuming or preserving your peaches, thoroughly inspect them for any oozing or dark spots. Overripe peaches will be soft and somewhat mushy, but if you notice mold or a foul odor, it’s best to avoid using them.
Preserving the Peachy Goodness
While canning is a popular method for preserving peaches, it isn’t the only option at your disposal. Before engaging in any preservation technique, you’ll need to remove the skins. Blanching is a common method for peeling peaches. Submerge the peaches in boiling water for approximately one minute, then transfer them to chilled water until they’re cool enough to handle. You can then easily slip off the skins and proceed with your chosen preservation method.
Canning peaches using the cold pack method, where you add boiling syrup to fruit-filled jars at room temperature, can help retain their firmness. The syrup is simple to make – just combine five cups of water with around two cups of sugar.
Alternatively, you can dehydrate the peaches for use in trail mix or other recipes. Slice the peaches and either leave the skin on or remove it, depending on your preference. Dry the slices in a commercial dehydrator overnight at approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit until they turn crisp or leathery. To prevent browning, dip the peach slices in lemon water before dehydration.
Of course, freezing the peaches is always an option. To prevent clumping, freeze the slices individually on a baking sheet before transferring them to freezer bags.
And let’s not forget about the delicious potential of peach jam! With a water bath canner, you can create a plethora of scrumptious peach jam to enjoy on various treats.
My Peachy Plans
As for me, I’m planning to can all of my fresh peaches this week. My kids adore canned peaches, and it’ll be a delightful change having locally grown ones. I wish we could have bought more, but our budget limited our purchase to a half bushel. Initially, I wasn’t sure if the price was reasonable – $22 per half bushel seemed a bit steep. However, upon reaching home, we counted the peaches and were pleasantly surprised. The generous seller gave us 116 medium to large peaches. After doing some research, I discovered that an average bushel of peaches weighs 50 pounds. Considering that ours was closer to 60 pounds, I believe we got an excellent deal – not to mention that the quality surpasses what you find in grocery stores.
To top it all off, the seller allowed us to pick as many raspberries as we could from his raspberry bushes and even sent us home with two watermelons from his garden. He expressed regret that he couldn’t offer more raspberries, as someone had cleared him out the day before. However, he kindly invited me to come back soon, as more berries will be ripening. (I suspect that the cookies I brought him might have played a part in his generosity!)
I’m definitely going to take him up on his offer. I managed to gather about four cups of berries, which we’ll enjoy tomorrow. I have a feeling the kids may have eaten a couple of cups’ worth right off the bushes!
This will be my first attempt at canning peaches, and once they’re all finished, I’ll be sure to share the recipe and step-by-step guide. I’m also curious if I can save the pits and try growing my own peach trees. Any ideas?
Updated on November 30th, 2020, by Rebekah Pierce
