Small-Scale Juicing of Florida-Grown ‘UFSun’ Peaches
Savanna J. Curtis, Ali Sarkhosh, Paul J. Sarnoski, Charles A. Sims, and Andrew J. MacIntosh
Peaches are a promising option for the Florida agricultural industry with plenty of revenue streams including fresh market, U-pick, and retail sales, as well as alternatives in the juicing and fermentation industries. This publication discusses a 2018 case study completed on a Florida peach cultivar. ‘UFSun’ were harvested, processed into juice, and analyzed for sugar content, juice yield, and general economic feasibility. The University of Florida has bred peach cultivars that grow commercially in tropical and subtropical climates such as Florida’s and are harvest-ready two months before the rest of the United States, offering competitive advantages. Unfortunately, their small size renders them less profitable in fresh markets compared to larger non-Florida cultivars. Knowing the processing characteristics of Florida peaches provides valuable information for peach farmers who are considering using their peaches for juicing, fermentation, and similar purposes.
