You can often find apricots from the other hemisphere in your region during its respective season. However, it’s best to only purchase them when they’re ripe locally because imported apricots are likely to be over or under ripe.
Avoid any apricots that are pale yellow or greenish-yellow. [2] X Research source Stay away from apricots with shriveled skin, which are usually overripe.
If the apricots are the right color and firmness to indicate ripeness, you don’t need to avoid smaller apricots. They’re often the tastiest because they haven’t been forced to grow larger with overwatering.
While a hard apricot will continue to ripen, don’t purchase an apricot that feels hard and is tinged with green. It will likely never develop its full flavor. [4] X Research source An apricot that feels extremely soft or mushy is overripe it, so you shouldn’t buy it.
You don’t necessarily have to use a brown paper bag, but you may already have some in your kitchen for packing lunches. Otherwise, you can use a white paper bag. Don’t store the apricots in a plastic bag. Unlike paper, which is slightly porous so some air can pass in and out of the bag, plastic is airtight. As a result, the ethylene gas may be too effective and you may wind up with mushy, overripe apricots.
Make sure to place the bag in a location that’s not near direct sunlight or heat.
Make sure the apricots are ripe before putting it in the refrigerator. Unripened apricots won’t ripen if you refrigerate them.
Apricots will usually stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, their taste and texture may be compromised.
