Most apricot trees don’t have many problems with pests or diseases, but they are known for dropping immature fruit, which means that apricots that aren’t ripe fall off the tree. Some people may wonder, “Why do my apricots stay green?” and “What can I do with apricots that don’t ripen?” if they are lucky enough to have an apricot tree in their yard.
Apricots are one of summer’s true delights. Their sweet, perfumed flesh and vibrant orange color brighten up every dish. But catching apricots at the peak of ripeness can be tricky. Unlike other stone fruits, apricots have a very short ripening window on the tree. So how can you ensure a bounty of perfectly ripe juicy apricots to enjoy fresh or baked into pies and cobblers? Follow this simple guide to ripening apricots to sweet, golden perfection every time.
How to Tell When Apricots Are Ripe on the Tree
Determining precise ripeness on the branch takes some practice. Here’s what to look for:
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Color – Ripe apricots will be golden orange with faint red blush rather than green. Some varieties have a deeper orange hue
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Touch – Gently squeeze a sample fruit. Ripe apricots will be slightly soft but not mushy or bruised. They should yield a little to pressure.
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Aroma – A ripe apricot will release a sweet, fruity aroma when ready. Give them a sniff!
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Taste – Nothing beats biting into a tree-ripe apricot! Ripe fruit will taste sweet and juicy.
Picking Apricots at the Proper Stage of Ripeness
Apricots can be finicky about ripeness when picked. Follow these tips:
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Pick just before fully ripe so they can finish ripening off the tree without perishing
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Leave obviously green, hard fruit behind to ripen further on the branch.
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Handle carefully to avoid bruising. Apricots are delicate when ripe.
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Use shears or gently twist fruit off stems by hand – don’t yank.
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Place picked apricots gently into shallow containers, not piled high.
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Move out of sunlight immediately to prevent overheating.
How to Ripen Apricots After Picking
Apricots will continue ripening after picking, so even slightly underripe fruit can be enjoyed at peak perfection with proper storage at home. Here are some techniques:
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Paper Bag Method – Place apricots in a paper bag folded over at the top and store at room temperature out of direct sun. Check daily until softened and fragrant. The bag traps ethylene gas released by the fruit which aids ripening.
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Ripen on Counters – Keep apricots at room temperature in a single layer if not using the paper bag method. Have patience – this can take 2-4 days.
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Speed It Up – To accelerate ripening, place apricots in a paper bag in a warm spot like near a sunny window. Just don’t overheat them.
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Don’t Refrigerate – Cold temperatures inhibit ripening. Only refrigerate once apricots are fully ripe and ready to eat.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Ripening Apricots After Picking
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for foolproof apricot ripening every time.
What You’ll Need
- Apricots picked when still slightly firm
- Paper bags
- Room temperature storage area
Instructions
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Select apricots that are showing some orange color but are still quite firm. Discard any with bruising or other damage.
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Place apricots in a single layer in paper bags (not plastic). Fold over tops of bags.
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Store bags at room temperature out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
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Check apricots daily by gently squeezing through the bag. When they yield slightly to pressure and smell sweet, they are ripe.
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Once ripe, move apricots to the refrigerator if not eating immediately. Consume within 3-5 days.
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For faster ripening, place paper bags in a warm sunny spot. Just don’t overheat the fruit.
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Expect the ripening process to take 2-4 days depending on the maturity of the apricots when picked.
Tips for Storing Ripe Apricots
Once your apricots reach ripe, juicy perfection, proper storage is key to enjoying their short season. Follow these tips:
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Refrigerate promptly – Ripe apricots are highly perishable. Chill within an hour or two of ripening completing.
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Use quickly – Even refrigerated, ripe apricots only last 3-5 days before declining in quality. Eat ASAP.
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Avoid bruising – Handle ripe apricots gently. Any pressure can cause bruising which accelerates spoilage.
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Keep dry – Moisture quickens decay. Dry the fruit well before storing and keep refrigerated produce drawers dry.
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Seal storage containers – Prevent excess air exposure by sealing ripe apricots in plastic bags or storage containers.
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Freeze for later – Blanch and freeze excess ripe apricots at their peak to enjoy out of season.
Proper handling means you can savor perfectly ripe apricots for several days after achieving that ideal texture and sweetness.
Ideas for Enjoying Ripe Apricots
Once you’ve followed the steps for ripening apricots to sweet perfection, put those sunny stone fruits to good use! Here are some delicious ways to enjoy them:
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Dice into fruit salads or yogurt parfaits
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Bake into pies, galettes, crumbles, and cobblers
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Grill or roast lightly for a caramelized treat
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Blend into smoothies, juice, or shakes
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Macerate in wine or liqueur for an apricot cocktail
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Jam, can, or preserve at the height of ripeness
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Dehydrate into chewy dried apricot snacks
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Freeze for later use in cakes, crisps, and compotes
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Make apricot chutney or savory salsa to pair with chicken
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Puree into sweet spreads and sauces for meats like pork
Let your creativity run wild! Ripe apricots pair beautifully with both sweet and savory ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ripening Apricots
If you’re new to ripening apricots at home, chances are you still have some questions. Here are answers to some common frequently asked questions:
How long does it take apricots to ripen after picking?
Typically 2-4 days if stored properly at room temperature. Ripe apricots will soften and develop aroma.
Will unripe apricots ripen off the tree?
Yes! Even firm, slightly green apricots will continue ripening if stored properly. Avoid fully green fruit.
Should I refrigerate unripe apricots to ripen them?
No. Cold temperatures will halt the ripening process. Only refrigerate once apricots are fully ripe.
Do apricots ripen faster in the sun or in a paper bag?
Paper bags accelerate ripening slightly since they trap ethylene gas. Warm spots also help. Direct sun can overheat/damage fruit.
Can I ripen apricots on the counter or does it need to be a paper bag?
You can ripen on the counter, but paper bags speed things up. Just don’t let fruit overheat in direct sun.
With this handy guide, you’ll be ready to bring home bags of apricots from the farmers market or orchard and enjoy them at their delicious peak every time. Happy ripening!
What to Do with Unripe Apricots
Apricots ripen at different times on the tree. You can pick Prunus armeniaca fruit when it is fully colored, even if it is still pretty hard. If an apricot is colored when it is taken off the tree, it does ripen. If it is green, it does not ripen. They will remain hard, green, and flavorless. When fruits are picked, they should be colored and have a little give to the skin. They can ripen at room temperature, not in the fridge, as long as there is space between them. Turn the fruit occasionally as it ripens. Of course, for the sweetest flavor, the fruit should be ripened on the tree if possible. You can also put fruit that isn’t ripe in a paper bag. The bag will trap the ethylene gas that the fruit gives off naturally and make it ripen faster. Adding an apple or banana will really accelerate this process. Make sure the bag stays in a cool, dry place. If it gets too warm, the fruit will go bad. Also, dont place the fruit in plastic bags, as again, the apricots will likely rot. After that, the ripe fruit should be eaten quickly because it will only stay fresh for one or two days. If you have apricots that are not ripening on the tree, you may have a later harvesting variety. As for when they’re ready to be picked, most types of apricots are ready in early summer, but some are ready late in the spring. Also, fruit ripens earlier on well-thinned trees, so pruning may be a factor with unripe fruit.
Why Do My Apricots Stay Green?
It can be hard to figure out why apricots aren’t ripening on the tree, but it’s likely that the tree is under some kind of stress. For example, stress can be caused by unseasonably hot, dry weather. In the absence of rainfall, apricots need a good soaking every ten days. Stress can also be caused by lack of sunlight. Be sure the variety is suitable for your USDA growing zone. Watch for signs of disease, including limb dieback, cankers, leaking sap, or sparse, light-colored foliage. Lets talk a bit about growing an apricot tree in general. Apricots bloom early and are easily killed off by late frosts. Most apricots can produce fruit on their own, but it’s best to plant one or two other types close together for the best fruit set. The trees won’t start to bear fruit until the third or fourth growing season. By that time, a dwarf variety should give you one to two bushels of fruit, and a standard size tree should give you three to four bushels. Apricots like to be in full sun and planted in most any soil provided it is well draining. Find an old tree that is dormant and has bare roots. You can plant it in early spring or, if you live in a mild area, in the fall. Space standard size trees 25 feet (8 m. ) apart and dwarf varieties about 8 to 12 feet (2-4 m. ) apart. Prune the apricot tree annually to encourage fruiting. When fruit is one inch (2. 5 cm. ) in diameter, thin to three to four per cluster to encourage bigger fruits and keep them from being too big, which will mean few fruits the next year.