Find out when these flat saucer shaped peaches are in season and where to buy them.
Also learn about an heirloom variety as well as donut nectarines.
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🌎 Where are They Grown?
The majority of the donut peaches grown for commercial production in the United States is California. Almost all the donut peaches I have seen in stores comes from the Golden State.
You can also find them from other states, but it will be more of a hunt. While the southern states of Georgia and South Carolina are big regular peach growers, I don't know of a lot of orchards growing them.
The only grower I have come across is Watsonia Farms. I have never had one of their donut peaches, I have seen their products (summer squashes, Muscadine grapes) on store shelves at Whole Foods Market.
One grower that is nearby me that I have checked out is Quarry Hills Orchard in Berlin Heights, Ohio (between Toledo and Cleveland). They harvest peaches from July to September. They are one of my favorite places to visit on this plant. Their apple cider is die for and they have a selection of newer and classic varieties of apples.
In the last couple years I have been seeing Virginia grown flat peaches showing up in the produce department of Walmart. I tried them once and was not pleased with them. Still need to give them a 2nd chance.
If you are a peach growing state, check your local farmers market to see if anyone there grows donut peaches.
🌞 When are They in Season?
Mid May through September. Peak season mid July to mid August.
To determine the season, I look at the availability a couple of my favorite stone fruit growers.
Kingsburg Orchards calls them Flying Saucer peaches. These are white fleshed donut peaches. Their earliest ones (May Flying and Galaxy) are available at the month of May. Then there is a gap all the way until August when their next couple varieties (Pink and Late) are ripe.
Kingsburg also have a yellow flesh variety called Golden Moon, which comes out in July.
Another of my favorite growers is Family Tree Farms. Their donut peaches, called Saturn peaches are available from the end of May through the end of June and then again around the end of July to late August.
Final crops for Family Tree Farms are between early September and mid October - although I think by then you don't seen most stores carrying them as they have moved onto to larger displays of apples and pears.
❓ White or Yellow Flesh?
The answer is both.
However, The majority of donut peaches will you find in stores are going to be the white flesh varieties, known for their incredibly sweetness and lower acid.
I will mention some yellow fleshed varieties below. Actually these are my favorite flat peaches.
To tell whether the color on the inside look at the color of the skin that is not the red blush. If it's more yellowish, than the inside will be so, but if it's more white, the inside will be white.
❔ Do They Have Fuzz?
Donut peaches tend to only have a little fuzz on the skin as compared to regular peaches that can be a lot more fuzzy. If that is something that bothers you about peaches, maybe these will be better for you.
Also I think donut peaches have a thin skin.
🛒 Where to Buy
Local farmer's markets are a great place to look for them. Not many grow them but when you can't find them at the market, they are usually the best you'll ever have!
As for grocery stores, here are some stores to look in:
- Whole Foods Market
- Kroger
- Meijer
- The Fresh Market
- Trader Joe's
- Wegman's
- HyVee
- Sprouts
I have never seen them at places like Costco or Sam's Club before. Have you?
Where have you found donut peaches? Have you ever tried any of the varieties listed below? Leave a comment in the comments section when you finish reading the post 🙂
📋 Varieties of Donut Peaches
I am sad to say that many of the donut peaches in stores are really more style than substance. They lack any real flavor - especially the white flesh varieties.
Over the years I have managed to track down a few varieties that you NEED (yes with all CAPS!) to check out and buy up if you are lucky enough to find them.
Peach Pie Donut Peaches
This variety comes your way from Family Tree Farms. They take a while to ripen, but are full of flavor if you eat them at the right moment.
Peach Pie Donut peaches do have notes of pie spices in their flavor profile. Definitely worth checking out. Sometimes they even come in a cute, carrying case, that makes them look like they are actually donuts! I found these at Trader Joe's and Kroger.
Read our review of Peach Pie Donut peaches
Nectafire Donut Nectarine
This is actually a nectarine. It's a donut nectarine. In fact it's the best tasting nectarine variety I have ever had.
By far. No contest. J
Juicy and just bursting with flavor. These have both style and substance. They have a beautiful red color. I just love them.
I used to buy them at Hiller's Market each summer, however that store was bought out by Kroger and I can no longer find them in my area. Rest asure, I will find them again. Nectafire is harvested in mid July by Rembrandt Fruit.
Nectapie Donut Nectarine
Ok another nectarine variety, I thought this was a donut peach post. What can I say, I love the very few donut nectarines I have had the privilege of trying.
These Nectapie Donut Nectarines are another variety from Family Tree Farms. I had them for the first time in 2019. Oh my were they delicious. Full flavor. Sweet. I want another right now!
📧 Email List
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📚 Resources
If you are really into peaches, and fruit in general I have a great book you need to check out, it's called How to Pick a Peach. I have learned so much about fruit from this book from history to what to look for when shopping for fruit. It's a fave of mine.
🍑 More Peach Reading
- When Does Peach Season Begin & End
- White Peach Season
- Should Peaches Be Refrigerated
- What are the Spots on Peaches
- How to Slice a Peach
- Do You Have to Peel Peaches for Pie?
- What to Do About a Peach Fuzz Allergy?
- 6 Tips on How to Find Good Peaches
🍴 Recipes
Here are some of our favorite peach recipes.
Felicia C
Fresh Direct and Hmart has donut peaches
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing, Felicia!