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Here's everything you need to know to slice peaches just right. We recommend investing in a durable and sharp paring knife for best results.

Your First Step:

Start With Fresh, Ripe Peaches
Start with fresh, ripe peaches. If you're going to eat them raw, make sure they have some give to them and even feel a bit soft. Slightly firmer peaches—those that might have a bit too much bite for eating raw—are perfect to use in baked goods like Peach Pie, since they will hold their shape a bit when cooked. For tips on knowing when peaches are ripe, see How to Buy Peaches.

There are two ways or approaches to slicing peaches: peeling and then slicing or slicing and then peeling; both are covered here.

Your Second Step:

Peel the Peaches, If You Like
If you like, peel the peaches whole. If you've never done it before, please see How to Peel Peaches Whole (this will involve blanching them, or dipping them in boiling water for a few seconds, so you might want to put a pot of water on to boil before you go any further).

There are just a few more steps to cutting your peaches perfectly every time. For step three, cut the peach toward the pit using a paring knife and then make a second cut toward the pit, 1/2-inch to the side of the first cut. Cut the peach over a bowl to catch any juices. Next, simply remove the slice, discard the pit, and then repeat until you're done. The method is slightly different if you're cutting an unpeeled peach. In this case, make a cut all the way around the peach to cut it in half. Twist the halves in opposite directions to loosen the pit, and the take the pit out. Now you're ready to slice.

Simple, isn't it? We were never big fans of cutting peaches — after all, it's a bit messy — but this handy step-by-step explanation really made it easier for us. Now we can't wait to try it for ourselves. Peach cobbler, anyone?

Article Source: About.com