Learn all about when you can expect white peaches to be in the grocery store. How are they different from yellow peaches?
One of the most consistently popular posts on my blog over the years has been the one I wrote about peach season.
I think that is very appropriate, after all peaches are one of my favorite fruits. There is nothing like biting into a juicy, sweet, peach that is bursting with flavor.
Of course not every peach is that good (read my post on tips to finding great peaches) but when you do find one that is, it's a moment you'll taste buds will treasure.
Today, I wanted to take another look at the peach season, this time from a different perspective. I want to solely talk about white peaches. The story with them is a little bit different than their yellow cousins - so it's worth exploring.
Jump to:
❓ How are White Peaches Different?
In recent seasons, white peaches have been growing in popularity. People like them because of their low acidity and sweet flavor.
What most people don't know is that the white varieties pre-date the yellow. Head to Asia where the peach originated from and what you will find is mainly white flesh peaches. Only in the last couple decades did farmers start planting white peaches in the U.S.
🌼 When Does the Season Begin?
You can begin to find fresh white peaches in stores in early May.
Most of the white peaches that show up in the grocery stores in the United States are from California. I have yet to find a white peach that didn't originate in California in a store unless it was a local white peach and that was only in a specialty produce store.
You basically need to go by the California fresh peach season. This doesn't mean that only California grows white peaches. Other states do as well. It's just that we don't see wide commercial production of white peaches in other states. California has been the only to really jump on the white peach bandwagon.
If you are living in a peach growing state you can check your local farmer's market or farm stand to get them.
Let's look at the different varieties and growers that I think are good.
Kingsburg Orchards
Their earliest white peaches varieties are the Snow Angel (May 1st) and Spring Snow (May 11th). Snow Angel is a really juicy white peach (read my Snow Angel review). Spring Snow has a well-rounded flavor (read my Spring Snow review) Both of these peaches are clingstone varieties.
Keep in mind you don't really find names of fresh peaches in the grocery store, only at farmers markets and orchards. Stores cycle through too many varieties to make this practical plus the average consumer doesn't seem to be super interested in knowing the variety. But i think that's a same because that's how to know if you are getting a peach you like before you buy.
Family Tree Farms
Their earliest white peaches are available near the end of April and beginning of May. I find that their peaches are more consistent in quality than other growers, so I feel good about buying them.
Fruit Acres Farm
Let me give you an example of a farm outside of California. Fruit Acres Farm is located on the west side of Michigan and is a place my family has been peach picking at several times. They have a white flesh peach called Blushingstar that we have had which has more a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Mostly ripens in the end half of August.
❓ Freestone
Generally freestone white peaches are found later on in the season. White Lady is an example of popular sub-acid freestone white peach variety. By sub-acid I mean the peach is really sweet with very little acid. That variety is harvested in the south in late June/early July and in the north around mid-August, so look for freestone white peaches in your area around those times.
🚜 Where are They Grown?
Finding a white peach that isn't from California in an average grocery store is hard. But you still can find in some states. Here is where the season begins in these states. I have confirmed that white flesh peaches are grown in each one.
| Georgia | mid July |
| Michigan | end of July |
| New Jersey | start of July |
| Ohio | end of July |
| Oregon | July |
| South Carolina | late June |
| Texas | late May |
| Washington | July |
Are you not finding your state on this list and you know an orchard that grows white peaches? Leave a comment below and help us out!
If you prefer your stone fruits without the fuzz, then you can look for white nectarines. However I have found that they are even harder to find growing outside of California.
🍩 Donut Peaches
Most donut peaches you are going to find in the store are actually white fleshed. The popular Flyer Saucer or Saturn donut peach is a sweet white flesh peach with low acid. Look for them in season when they are available for another type of white peach.
Donut peaches are also known for their small pits. You get more edible fruit for your money.
🍂 When Does the Season End?
The last of the white peaches are normally harvested near the end of August. They usually are out of stores before yellow flesh peaches.
I typically don't buy any more white peaches by early September. Even thought you still find some in most stores, a lot of them are more mealy at this point.
❄️ Available in the Winter?
During the winter months, peaches are limited. You cannot keep the U.S. crop in cold storage long. So there is a gap for a while. In the late winter months, you do find some peaches from Chile, but I have found for the most part those was just yellow flesh varieties.
Whether they are white or yellow I don't recommend peaches from Chile as they spend too much time in cold storage before reaching the stores, you often find peaches that are mealy or never seem to ripen properly.
🎙️ Listen to our podcast episode on How to Pick the Best Peaches
➕ More Peach Posts
Here are some more posts to read about peaches.
Linda Diamond
Id like to buy white peaches . fresh or frozen. Can you help me. None availabe locally. Clearwater Florida
Ron Hill
You mentioned that white peaches have been grown in CA for only a decade when I was a kid growing up in Mar Vista( a west Los Angeles suburb) in the 1950s, we had a white peach tree in the back yard (along with a fig tree!). They were delicious.
Eric Samuelson
Hey Ron, thanks for your comment.
As it comes to white peaches I know they were being grown in California for sure a long time. I was just referring to that I didn't see white peaches in the grocery stores at least around here until the last 10 years or so.
Carole Devine
White peach’s are and have been available in Publix for a few years Largo and Clearwater
Eric Samuelson
Do you know where those peaches you are finding at Publix were grown?