How To Crack Open a Peach Seed

Have you ever seen the inside of a peach seed? Sometimes, these hard-shelled seeds will crack open on their own, revealing a small, soft, and almond-like seed. Now, imagine you can’t wait for that to happen spontaneously; how to crack open a peach seed? Well, there are several reasons and ways to crack open peach seeds.  

Why You Should Open a Peach Seed?

First, let’s see why you should open peach seeds. Many people do it so that they can germinate and plant them. In a few years, they can enjoy their own peach fruits. But do peaches grow true to seed? Yes, peaches grow fairly true to their seed, which means you can grow them that way.

Also, do you know what is the seed in a peach called? It is called a peach pit or stone. Some people even use “kernel” as a peach seed name. Now, moving on to another reason why you might want to crack open a peach seed. 

Peach seeds contain a substance called amygdalin, which supposedly has anti-cancer properties. Additionally, peach seeds contain proteins and healthy fatty acids, which have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. 

That’s why many people want to ingest these seeds, and you can even find peach seeds for sale. However, keep in mind that amygdalin from peach seeds can also release small doses of cyanide when metabolized. To avoid cyanide poisoning, eat peach seeds in small amounts, max 1-2 seeds a day.

Step-by-step Guide On How To Crack Open a Peach Seed

Now that you know more about peach seed benefits, it is time for you to learn how to crack open a peach seed:

Method 1: A Knife

If you are skilled with a knife, this is the easiest method to open a peach seed. First, eat your peach or remove the fruit around the seed in another way. You can wash the seed under water to remove any remnants of the fruit. Then, follow these steps:

1. Pat dry the seed with a paper or kitchen towel until it is fully dry. If needed, leave it under a fan for several hours. This will give you a better grip once you start opening it.
2. Carefully, use a sharp knife to slice the seams of the pit. You might need to repeat it several times. 
3. Once you have made a deep enough cut along the seam, push the knife tip into the seam.
4. Twist the knife to pry open the pit. Try several times until the pit cracks open.
5. Remove the inner seed and clean it, then use as intended.

Keep in mind that to do this, you need to have a good and reliable knife that is sharp yet easy to handle. We suggest you use a utility knife or a paring knife.

1. JAPANESE UTILITY KNIVES DAMASCUS STEEL | GIN SERIES

Utility knives are also a great choice for opening peach seeds and similar tasks since they are also sharp and easy to control and handle. This utility knife is made of 67-layered stainless Damascus steel, which makes it highly durable and resistant to chips. It also prevents food from sticking to the blade, making the kitchen utility knife practical for everyday use.

2.   3.5" PARING KNIVES DAMASCUS STEEL | SHOGUN SERIES

Opening a peach seed requires precision, and paring knives are the definition of precision. This knife has a stainless steel blade that’s as sharp as a razor. Yet, it is durable against chipping and bending, especially around its tip. Additionally, it has an ergonomic handle, which will provide you full control over the knife.

Visit Kyoku Knives to find even more knives and other kitchen utensils that could help you crack open a peach seed. 

Method 2: A Hammer 

Alternatively, if you wonder how to open a peach seed but don’t want to use a knife, you can use a hammer. Just like with the previous method, you will first need to clean the pit from the fruit. Again, you will have the best grip if you pat dry the seed you want to crack open. For even better drying, leave it near a fan for several hours. Then, follow these steps:

1. If you have safety glasses, put them on; hitting peach seeds with a hammer can cause small seed pieces to fly into your eyes. If you don’t have safety glasses, use regular glasses or sunglasses.
2. Place the peach seed on a firm and sturdy surface - a sturdy table, floor, or ground. Don’t do this on surfaces that could break under the hammer.
3. Grab the peach seed with your thumb and index finger while still keeping it on the surface.  Make sure your fingers don’t protrude too much.
4. Hit the seed with the hammer. Watch for your fingers. Repeat until the seed cracks open.
5. Remove the inner seed from its shell, clean it from any debris, and then use it as intended.

Instead of a hammer, you can use a rock, a wood log, or anything similar. Some people even use nutcrackers, so if you have one, try it out. Again, watch your fingers, and try not to damage the surface below the peach seed. 

Conclusion

Now that you know how to open a peach pit, you no longer need to buy peach seeds or hope that they will crack open spontaneously. However, remember to be careful when you try to open peach seeds, especially when working with sharp knives. Just one wrong move, and you could cut yourself deeply.

Hammers are slightly safer options, but you can still accidentally injure yourself if you’re not careful enough. Additionally, by using a hammer, you are more likely to crush the inner seed you are trying to get out.