China is widely held to be the native home of peaches. This is supported by the fact that there is a wide range of wild peach types in the countryside. Originally the peach grew in North China in areas of erosion and overgrazing. They were a symbol of fertility and affection.
Shop at a farmers' market for the ripest and fleshiest peach possible! Look for golden peaches without green traces near the stem.
Inspect the peach's surface. The skin shouldn't be bruised in any way; should have a soft, downy covering of white fuzz; and it should be streaked with both pink and yellow.
Smell the peach to see if it is sweet scented.