sam houston peach
Photo: Ninette Dean
About
Information
Translations: Ranger persiku, Ranger Ροδάκινο, Ranger persikų, الحارس الخوخ, レンジャーピーチ, Ranger breskva, ריינג 'ר אפרסק, Командос брескве, 레인저 복숭아, Peach Ranger, रेंजर पीच, Рейнджер Піч, 兰杰桃, Рейнджер Пич, Рейнджър Праскова
Physical Description
Bright orange and round with light fuzz covering it entirely. One large central stone is found in the middle of each fruit. The peel is edible and usually left on during cooking, or when eaten raw.
Colors: Bright orange and bright yellow with red freckles
Tasting Notes
Flavors: sweet
Mouthfeel: Crisp, Juicy
Food complements: Cinnamon, Brown sugar, Almonds, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Coconut, Apricot, Mango
Substitutes: Freestone peach, Clingstone peach
Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: march, april, may, june, july, august, september
Peak: april, may, june, july
Choosing: The perfect ranger peach will be firm to the touch, but will bruise with pressure. The fuzzy skin will be tight over the entie peach.
Buying: Ranger peaches are available in most grocery stores but many of them are grown and exported from Texas.
Procuring: Ranger peaches are grown on tall trees in Texas starting in late March or early April. They do best in sandy soil with a pH level between 5 and 7; young plants require high levels of phosphorus. Plants of any age benefit from occasional fertilization. Ranger peaches thrive in sunny environments. Pinching is the primary way of cultivating this fruit; shearing, thinning, and rejuvenating techniques are also used. Common problems facing Ranger peach plants include powdery mildew, leaf spots, blight, scale insects, and caterpillars.
Preparation and Use
Ranger peaches are often skinned and either eaten like an apple, or they are sliced and pitted. However, it is not necessary to remove the skin, which contains high levels of nutrients.
Cleaning: Rinse the fruit gently before skinning to remove any pesticides.
Conserving and Storing
Store at room temperature, uncovered. In extremely hot or humid climates the shelf life of the Ranger Peach may be extended by keeping the fruit in the fruit bin of a refrigerator.