Gently rinse under running water. To make peeling easier, first briefly immerse in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds.

To keep sliced peaches from browning, toss lightly in lemon juice or dip in an absorbic acid solution. Sliced peaches may also be frozen.

Fresh peach ice cream and peach pie are perennial favourites. Peaches are often used in cobblers, crisps, or gently cooked with brown sugar. They are also preserved, made into jam, baked, steeped in red wine, poached in Champagne, brandied, or made into peach Melba.

Peaches are also delicious in main course salads or as a topping for breakfast cereals, pancakes or waffles.