I went peach picking this past weekend at Kapnick Orchards. There I was introduced to another peach variety - the Bellaire. The Bellaire peach ripens in early August shortly after the Red Haven. It is a freestone variety, thus the pit is easy to remove when the peach is ripe. Bellaire peaches tend to be on the larger size when grown to their full potential. The Bellaire is said to be part of the Loring family of peaches.
The Bellaire peach was introduced in 1984 in Martinsburg, WV by Freddie Blair and Hilltop Nurseries.
My Experience with this Peach (Rating Scale 1-10)
Acidity: 9
Peach Flavor: 8
Sweetness: 4
Juiciness: 9
Overall Feeling: The Bellaire peach is a great peach to use for a pie or other baking endeavors. It is on the acidic side, which is a nice counter to the sugar added for a baked good. It also has a nice peach flavor and is juicy. It not the sweetest peach, so if you don't like your peaches overly sweet, this one is for you. Since it's a freestone it makes pie making and canning easier as the pit should pop right out.
Where is the best place to buy a good peach? Click here to read my article on shopping for peaches.
Jeff
It is grafted onto a loring rootstock.