Red Haven Peaches

UPDATE – Click here to find out more about the 2012 Red Haven peach crop.

The red haven peach – the peach that all other peaches are judged against. In fact, other peach varieties are often listed by how many days before or after they are ready to pick in regards to when red havens are ready. Red havens are ready for picking around the end of July to beginning of August. This is the classic peach that you will find all over the place. It’s a heavy producer which farmers love. They also love it’s long shelf life. It’s the most popular peach planted in Michigan. It is a freestone peach, in that you should be able to remove the inner pit without taking half the peach with it.

The Red Haven was introduced in 1940. It was created by Dr. Stanley Johnston of Michigan State University. It was first grown in South Haven, Michigan. There is a park in South Haven that bears Stanley’s name. His “Haven” series of peaches had a major effect on the peach business in the eastern part of the country.

My Experience with this Peach (Rating Scale 1-10)
Acidity: 6
Peach Flavor: 8
Sweetness: 6
Juiciness: 9

Overall Feeling: Well not being my favorite peach (Flamin’ Fury is) this is still a top of the line peach. It is juicy with a good peach flavor. It’s a great peach for canning as they are easy to slice up and remove the stone. This peach also works well in cooking applications. It has the acidity that you want. It’s your all around good peach ready for multiple uses!

Where is the best place to buy a good peach? Click here to read my article on shopping for peaches.