Nay, not the same! Aside from color, there are differences between white and yellow peaches that are important for the cook to know.
How do Yellow and White Peaches Differ?
Yellow peaches have a distinct "peachy" flavor and a hint of tartness that nicely balances their sweetness. The flesh is relatively firm, so they hold up well when baked or canned. White peaches have a more delicate flavor, almost floral in nature, and essentially no tartness. The flesh is softer than yellow peaches and they do not do as well in pies, cobblers, and the like. They are great in jams and syrups. Both kinds are, of course, great when simply eaten out-of-hand.
What About Donut Peaches?
Donut peaches (also called flat, Saturn, or pan tao peaches) are distinguished mainly by their flattened, “bagel-like” shape. Most donut peaches have white flesh and like other white fleshed peaches have low acidity and delicate floral flavors. There are however some donut peaches with yellow flesh on the market (some marketed as TangOs or Sweet Bagel) and they are more like the traditional yellow flesh peaches in terms of their characteristics.
Because they’re very sweet, low-acid, and often quite delicate, donut peaches shine in fresh applications: eating out of hand, fruit salads, cheese boards, or simple desserts where their texture and aroma stay intact. Their thin skin and fragile flesh don’t tolerate long, high-heat treatments; for pies, jams, or traditional canning, firmer, higher-acid yellow peaches are generally a better choice.
Peaches and Home Canning
On a safety note, the lack of tartness, or acidity, in white peaches means that they cannot safely be canned using the hot water bath method but should be frozen. A pressure canner would safely work, but few people have those at home. The acidity of yellow peaches makes them safe for home canning. This is because the acidity prevents the growth of botulinus and other toxic bacteria that can survive the temperatures in a boiling water canning bath.
Some Other Fruit-Related Myths for You!
About fruit ripening after picking.
Keeping cut avocado green.
