"Hujin" and "Baihua" peaches (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.) were treated at temperatures ranging from 37 to 43 degreesC for 1-3 h with hot water and for 3-48 h with hot moist air. respectively. Heat treatment with hot water caused heat injury to Hujin peach, and therefore is not suitable for Hujin peach. Hujin peaches were heated by moist air at 37 degreesC for 3-48 h. Heating of Hujin peach at 37 degreesC for 12 h was most effective in maintaining hardness and reducing mass loss. while for Baihua peach, the most effective treatment was heating at 37 degreesC for 16 h. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.