Southern Sweet Tea Canned Peaches
Southern Sweet Tea Canned Peaches combine the classic flavor of sweet Southern tea with juicy peaches, creating an easy and delicious treat for desserts, snacks, and holiday recipes. Once the peaches are removed, the sweet tea syrup transforms into a flavorful peach tea concentrate that can be mixed into drinks, cocktails, lemonades, and refreshing summer beverages, making every can twice as versatile.
Do peaches need to be peeled before canning?
Yes, peeling peaches is recommended for the best texture and appearance. Blanching peaches in boiling water for 30–60 seconds makes the skins easy to remove.
What are the best peaches for canning?
Freestone peaches are the easiest to work with because the pits separate easily from the flesh. Choose ripe but firm peaches for the best results.
Can I can peaches without sugar?
Yes. Peaches can be canned in water, fruit juice, or a light syrup. Sugar is mainly used for flavor and helps maintain texture and color.
Why did my canned peaches float to the top of the jar?
Floating is common and usually occurs when peaches contain trapped air or were packed too loosely. Proper packing and removing air bubbles can help reduce floating.
How long do home-canned peaches last?
When processed and stored correctly in a cool, dark place, home-canned peaches are best used within 12–18 months for optimal quality.
Do I need a pressure canner for peaches?
No. Peaches are naturally acidic and can be safely processed using a water bath canner when following tested canning guidelines.
And when you finish enjoying the canned peaches, you have leftover peach tea concentrate that can be used in a variety of ways !!
How to Use Peach Tea Concentrate:
- Make Peach Iced Tea
- Mix peach concentrate with cold water and ice for a refreshing homemade peach tea.
- Add It to Lemonade
- Stir a few tablespoons into fresh lemonade for a sweet peach twist.
- Create Cocktails and Mocktails
- Use peach concentrate as a mixer for sparkling water, liquor, or alcohol-free drinks.
- Blend Into Smoothies
- Add peach concentrate to fruit smoothies for extra flavor and natural sweetness.
- Sweeten Yogurt or Oatmeal
- Drizzle it over yogurt, oatmeal, overnight oats, or cottage cheese.
- Use It in Baking
- Incorporate peach concentrate into cakes, muffins, quick breads, and glazes for a boost of peach flavor.
Cook with me!
Southern Sweet Tea Canned Peaches
Ingredients
- 10 to 12 pounds fresh peaches about 20 to 24 peaches
- 4 wide-mouth quart jars with lid
- 1 gallon (128 ounces) water
- 16 black tea bags
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar up to 3 cups for extra sweet concentrate
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- Juice of 2 lemons
Instructions
- Wash the jars, lids, and bands in hot soapy water. Place in a large pot of hot water or bowl until ready to use. You want to keep the jars hot.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Only fill halfway as the peaches will make the water rise. Create an X at the bottom of each peach. Place a bowl of ice cold water nearby. Add the peaches to cook for 30 to 60 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to transfer to the ice cold water. You may need to work in batches when blanching.
- After the peaches have cooled down, use the curled corners of the X at the bottom to peel back the peach skins. Slice into 1″ wedges or halves.
- To prevent any browning, place peeled peaches in a bowl of water with lemon juice while you work.
- Bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Add the sugar and tea bags. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Add the lemon juice and mint leaves. Remove from heat to let the tea bags steep for 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining water then place back over the heat until steamy – you don't want it boiling, just hot. Remove the tea bags and mint leaves before canning.
- Pack peach halves or slices into hot jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Pour hot liquid over peaches, maintaining the ½ inch headspace.
- Slide a bubble remover or nonmetallic utensil around the inside of each jar to remove any air bubbles. Adjust liquid as needed.
- Wipe jar rims clean, place lids on jars, and screw bands on until very tight.
- Place jars in a boiling water bath canner with at least 1 inch of water covering the tops of the jars. It’s typically 30 minutes of boiling for quart jars and 25 minutes for pint jars.
- Remove jars and let them cool undisturbed for 12–24 hours. Check that lids have sealed flat before storing.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 18 months for best quality. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 5–7 days.
I truly hope you all enjoy this treasured recipe that has nestled its way into our hearts here in the ABM kitchen! ’till next time… xxL
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
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FYI, the recipe that is written doesn’t match what is in the video. Honey is not listed and the amounts are different. Do you recommend the ratios in the video or in the written recipe?
hi Caroline! yes, sorry for any confusion! the recipe card on my blog is the base recipe I always refer to when making the canned peaches. I would use the blog version and then you can play around with it (such as the honey and level of tea bags) after trying the base recipe to make it your own! 😉
So this may seem like a silly question but I like to have everything prepped and ready before I start canning. Your video say 6lbs and 5cups of tea and it looks like you make 4 quarts. The recipe say 10-12lbs and a gallon of tea for 4 quarts. I want to make at least 8 quarts so do you think I need 10-12lbs or 20-24lbs of peaches?
I have been loving this recipe, a great way to can peaches and have a refreshing tea!
I’m not comfortable with canning yet :/ how long do you think this will last if i don’t can them? A couple of days?
totally understand that!! it would last about 5 to 7 days in the fridge!