Apricots are a small stone fruit with a central pit. They range from a soft creamy orange to yellow with fuzzy skin.
You'll find many different kinds at your farmers' market. The most prevalent varieties are the Poppy, Patterson, Blenheim, Tilton, and Castlebrite. The season usually runs from late spring to early summer. You'll also find delicious sweet dried apricots at the markets.
A great source of vitamins A and C, apricots promote eye and skin health, while also boosting the immune system. How could you pass up this mouth-watering, low calorie, healthy snack?
The Lowdown
Season
Summer
Spring
Color
Orange-Yellow
Select
Look for a fairly firm, smooth and plump fruit that has an orange-yellow color.
Fully ripe apricots are soft to the touch, full of juice, and should be eaten as soon as possible
Fully ripe apricots are soft to the touch, full of juice, and should be eaten as soon as possible
Store
Store unripe apricots in a paper bag at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.
Once ripe, apricots will keep for a day or two, if stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Once ripe, apricots will keep for a day or two, if stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
