Curious about those white spots on peach skin? They're called sugar spots and I'll explain what they mean below. And if you've got some peaches on hand, don't miss my peach quesadilla recipe further down the post!
📋 What's New In This Post (9/4/25) - Added info on sugar spots on Nectarines.
How I Learned About Sugar Spots on Peaches
Have you ever noticed that on some peaches and nectarines, there are some small spots? Have you ever wondered what those were? They tend to appear on the bottom part of the fruit further away from the stem.
Is something wrong with the peaches? On the contrary there is something very right with them. Today I am going to teach you all about sugar spots and why I feel confident than whenever I see these on peaches at the store that I am about to buy some sweet fruit.
I originally wrote this post as part of a series - Person Peach Series. One summer I received 7 boxes of peaches from Pearson Farm near Fort Valley, Georgia. Each box will contain a different variety of Prince peaches. It was a fantastic way to experience the different flavors, textures, and colors of the peach. It helped me learn more about peaches so I can pass along that knowledge to you.
Jump to:
Disclaimer: This posts includes affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.
🍑 Sugar Spots
Whenever you see small tiny white or yellow spots on a peach those are sugar spots. Let me give you some facts on them.
- The spots are actually sugars crystallizing on the outside of the fruit.
- They are the size of a pin point.
- When you see this, it indicates you are getting a pretty sweet piece of fruit.
- The spots appear on the bottom of the fruit which is also the part of the fruit that gets the most sunlight.
- The number of spots can vary.
If you see a large white spot or multiple large white spots that is actually something else. It could be powdered mildew or overexposure to sunlight.
⚫ Black Spots
What you don't want to see is black spots. Black spots means something is wrong with the fruit. You can cut the peach open to see what it looks like on the outside. Most cases I would have to toss them. These types of peaches rarely make it to a grocery store shelf.
❔ Do Nectarines Get Sugar Spots Too?
Yes, this is common in nectarines as well. In fact, I think I see sugar spots more frequently on nectarines than I do on peaches. Every June I look for the sugar spots on white nectarines that they sell at Costco stores, particularly looking for the variety Honey Pearl White Nectarines.
❓ Are Peaches Still Sweet Without Them?
What if you don't find any sugar spots? Will the peaches still be sweet? That depends on the peach. Sugar spots aren't necessary for a peach to be sweet, just an indication that they are.
📧 Join Our Email List
Want to keep up to date on when fruits are in season? Sign up for our email list below.
🍴 Peach Quesadilla Recipe
The simple quesadilla - what is not to love about a tortilla filled with melted cheese? It is a simple delight. It got me thinking, what if I made a dessert quesadilla with peaches? Woah! Take a moment - I know your mind has been blown now.
The secret to these peach quesadillas is:
- First, slicing the peaches thin enough so they can cook before the tortilla burns.
- Second, adding a layer of mascarpone cheese mixed with a little bit of vanilla extract.
- Cook until golden and sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon
In case you have never mascarpone cheese before you can find at most grocery stores either where the cream cheese would be or the specialty cheese section near the deli, it should be near the brie - which you could use for this recipe if you wanted as well.
I love to pull out my electric griddle for cooking quesadillas. I can cook multiple ones at the same time, which you can't do if you are just using a frying pan. The Presto Electric Griddle has never done me wrong.
When you are done trying the peach one, try out these other flavors - Blueberry Cheesecake Quesadilla, Strawberry Cheesecake Quesadilla, and Cherry Mascarpone Quesadilla.
Peach Quesadillas with Mascarpone Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 peach, sliced thin
- 3 TBSP mascarpone cheese
- 1 ½ TBSP powdered sugar
- 1-2 drops vanilla extract
- 6 soft taco sized tortillas
- butter for coating your pan
For dusting the tortillas
- cinnamon
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- Remove the pit from your peach. Slice your peach thinly. Set aside
- Combine mascarpone cheese and the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add a drop or two of vanilla extract.
- Heat up a frying pan or electric griddle to high heat.
- Spread a thin layer of mascarpone on 3 tortillas, leaving some room at the edges.
- Evenly distribute the peaches among the tortillas
- Spread a thin layer of mascarpone on 3 more tortillas, and place them on top of the tortillas with the peaches.
- Butter your cooking surface, and add the tortilla(s). Cook until brown on one side and carefully flip over.
- When all the tortillas are done dust with powdered sugar and cinnamon
Leave a Reply