How to Remove the Pit from Clingstone Peaches

Peaches are a lovely fruit. They are wonderful for smoothies, cobblers, pies, and so many other amazing dishes. I look forward to peach season every year, as we have a few white-peach trees in our backyard. It’s such a wonderful thing to go out, grab a few and gobble down the juicy delciousness.

However, not all peaches are easy to eat or prepare for cooking—especially the kind you get from the grocery store!

Maybe you’ve noticed before when you go to cut a peach that pit just stays stuck inside, not wanting to budge. Well, that is called a clingstone peach! They can be awfully annoying…unless you know the secret to cutting them effortlessly!

Clingstone Vs. Freestone Peach

There are two main variety of peaches: clingstone peaches and freestone peaches. Both white and yellow peaches can be found in each of these categories. But what exactly do they mean?

A clingstone peach refers to a peach whose flesh literally “clings” to the pit. It is firmly attached to the pit. If you’ve ever eaten one of these peaches, you’ll know what I mean. It is HARD to eat entire peaches like this because the flesh does not want to be separated from the pit!

On the other hand, a freestone peach refers to a peach whose flesh is “free” from the pit. It is NOT firmly attached, but comes off easily. When you eat or slice this type of peach, it will be very easy to remove the pit. Sometimes it just falls right out.

Of course, most recipes tell you to stay away from clingstone peaches because they are harder to work with, AND a whole lot messier.

But what if you already have clingstone peaches at home and you need to know how to cut them? Or what if all you can find at the grocery store are clingstone peaches?

You still have options! We’ll get to the secret to cutting and slicing clingstone peaches very soon.

More Differences

You might wonder, is there any difference in flavor or texture when it comes to the different varieties of peaches? Why would you choose one over the other?

The truth is, clingstone peaches can often be smaller and juicier than freestone peaches. Some even say they are slightly sweeter. This is why most canned peaches from the store are actually clingstone! You may also want to use clingstone peaches for canning for this reason (and after you know how to cut them more easily, it will make the process less messy too!)

Picking Peaches at the Store

If you are at the grocery store trying to figure out what type of peaches they have, make sure to look at the label. They should always say whether they are clingstone or freestone. Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to tell which type of a peach you have if you lost the label (unless you cut it of course).

How to Pit a Clingstone Peach Effortlessly

The key to cutting, slicing, and pitting a clingstone peach lies in the method of cutting you use. Most people cut a peach by slicing down the natural crease in the peach. However, this will NOT help you when cutting a clingstone peach.

Step 1:

Instead of cutting down the crease of the peach, cut around the center of the peach. Twist to separate like normal.

Step 2:

Take the half that still has the pit in it and cut it again, still avoiding the crease. The knife should go over the top or bottom of the peach (depending on which side is the one with the pit).

Step 3:

At this point, the pit should come right out! Cutting the peach this way loosens the pit, allowing it to come out much easier. IF, however, you’re still having trouble, simply cut the slice with the pit one more time down the center. This should do the trick.

So, ready to see these steps in action? Take a look at the clingstone peach hack video below!

How to get rid of stubborn peach pits:

Note: While most people will tell you to remove a clingstone peach pit with a knife, I like this method much better. Using a knife to loosen the pit can be troublesome if you’re not experienced in the kitchen. I find this method to be much easier, safer, and more fun too! 🙂

What to do with Clingstone Peaches

So, now you know how to cut a clingstone peach effortlessly anytime…

This means you can do literally anything with the peach! Here are some ideas for you:

• Slice up your peaches and make a yummy peach cobbler—or even better, a Peach Cobbler French Toast for breakfast!
• Freeze your peaches and then make a delicious all-peach smoothie or mango-peach smoothie
• Try your hand at canning peaches for the first time

How to Remove the Pit from Clingstone Peaches

The simple trick to removing the stone from a clingstone peach! While some peach pits can be stuboorn, all you have to do is change up the way you cut it and you’ll be able to remove it in no time.

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Snacks

Cuisine Fruit

Servings 4 servings

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• Clingstone Peach (as many or as few as you want)
• Small knife

Instructions

 

• Cut peach around the center of the peach. Avoid the regular crease of the peach entirely. You should be cutting in the center, separating the top of the peach from the bottom.
• Twist to separate both halves of the peach.
• Cut the half of the peach with the pit again, going across the peach but avoiding the crease once again. Twist to separate.
• Remove pit. If the pit still won’t remove, slice the part with the pit one more time and then try removing again.

Video

Notes

• This hack works best if peaches are ripe (but not overripe). It will be best if they have a bit of softness to them. They shouldn’t be rock solid but not too squishy either.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Conclusion

Peaches are one of my favorite fruits, and now I don’t have to worry anytime I go to the store and all they have is clingstone peaches. You can use this simple peach-pitting hack anytime you have stubborn peach stones trying to get on your nerves!