The soft, delciate Freestone parts easily from the pit, unlike the Clingstone, which are firmer and much better for poaching. Ripe peaches are cream, ytelloe, orange, pink or red in color. Their flesh may be white or yellow. Look for peaches that are tender yet still firm. Make sure they are free of bruises or hints of green on the skin.
White peaches tend to be sweet.
Peaches can be stored near a sunny window to ripen. Once ripened, however, they should not be refrigerated for more than two days or the flavor will fade. The best place to find great peaches is a roadside stand next to a farm. For us city folks there's farmers markets.