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The Daily Insight

Can I store fresh apricots in the fridge

Author

Marcus Reynolds

Updated on April 30, 2026

Apricots. Apricots continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate apricots as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.

How do you keep apricots fresh in the refrigerator?

To extend the shelf life of fully ripe apricots, place in a plastic bag and refrigerate; for best results, bring the apricots back to room temperature before using. How long do apricots last in the refrigerator? Fully ripe apricots will last for about 4 to 5 days in the fridge.

How do you tell if an apricot is ripe?

They should be plump and firm, with just a little softness to them. If they’re hard, they’re not ripe; if they’re squishy, they’ve gone too far. Ripe apricots have a lovely, unmistakable floral fragrance, so give it the sniff test.

How long are fresh apricots good for?

Storage. Store fresh apricots in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Canned apricots and apricot nectar can be stored up to 48 months at 40/F, 24 months at 70/F, or 12 months at 90/F. Dried apricots can be stored up to 24 months at 40/F, 3 months at 70/F, or 1 month at 90/F.

Should I refrigerate dried apricots?

Fruits such as dried apricots, prunes, and raisins will keep at top quality in the pantry for six months. After opening, you may wish to store them tightly sealed in the refrigerator to preserve the quality for up to six additional months or freeze them for one month.

How do you store plums in the fridge?

Store ripe plums in the refrigerator. Place them in an open plastic bag – not a sealed one. Plums stored in the refrigerator will last two to four weeks. Make sure your refrigerator is clean and free of heavy smells. Plums tend to take on the smell of the refrigerator after a few days.

Can I freeze fresh apricots?

Here’s how to freeze apricots: Break the apricot in half and remove the pit. Place the halves on a baking sheet and freeze overnight. Then next day, put in a freezer bag and store in the freezer.

Should plums be refrigerated?

Whole plums should be stored at room temperature until ripened. Once ripe, the plums can be kept whole in a bowl in the refrigerator and covered with Glad® Press n’ Seal wrap. Or, to store cut plums, remove pits and cut fruit into chunks or wedges of desired size.

Is it safe to eat apricots with brown spots?

It is seen as small dark spots on immature fruit, becoming round brown freckles, sometimes scabby, on mature fruit. It is often just cosmetic and the fruit is perfectly fine to eat, however it become so dense that the fruit is rotten or shrivels and falls off.

How soft should an apricot be?

Here’s how to choose the best apricots and ripen them properly: A good apricot is peachy-orange in color and on the soft side, but not so soft that it’s crossed over to squishy. There should be no green — not even a hint of it — on the skin. … They ripen quickly, so you need to check them at least twice a day.

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How do you store apricots?

Apricots continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate apricots as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.

What month are apricots ripe?

Identifying a Ripe Apricot The best way to assess whether the apricot is ready to pick is to taste it. Late June through August is typically considered harvest time for apricots, according to Nebraska Extension.

What are the benefits of eating apricots?

Rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids, apricots are excellent for promoting eye health. Lutein helps to support retina and lens health, while carotenoids and vitamin E support overall vision. Apricot nutrients also help to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Should dry fruits be stored in fridge?

Dried Fruit Dried fruit has less moisture than fresh fruit, so it doesn’t spoil as quickly, but refrigeration can help it maintain its freshness longer. Keep it in the main compartment of your refrigerator for up to six months.

Should dried figs be refrigerated?

Dried figs should be wrapped so that they don’t get hard and can then be stored at a cool room temperature or in the refrigerator. They should keep for several months.

Which dry fruit is healthiest?

Dates are one serious candidate for the title of healthiest dried fruit, with high levels of iron, fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and more. Dates also have a low glycemic index, so they do not typically contribute to a spike in blood sugar.

Do you have to blanch apricots before freezing?

With some varieties, the skin will become tough if frozen without blanching first. Simply blanch in boiling water for one minute, plunge into cold water, drain and freeze. Apricots may also be packed in sugar or syrup for freezing and frozen up to 1 year.

Do apricots make you poop?

Dried fruits, such as dates, figs, prunes, apricots, and raisins, are another great source of dietary fiber that acts as constipation relief. “Prunes, in particular, are great because they not only are high in fiber, they also contain sorbitol, which is a natural laxative,” Prather says.

How do you keep apricots from turning brown?

Apricots will turn brown when exposed to air, even air in a sealed, sterile jar. To keep the fruit from turning brown, when you get a bowlful, sprinkle 1/4 cup lemon juice or Fruit-Fresh (which is just a mix of citric acid and vitamin C, perfectly natural).

Do fresh prunes need to be refrigerated?

Prunes do not need to be refrigerated. … Moisture from the fridge can invade your container and cause mold or other issues which will ruin the shelf life of your prunes.

How long can plums last in the fridge?

Fully ripe plums will last for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

How do you store fresh figs?

Storing Fresh Figs It’s important to keep fresh figs cold to slow deterioration. Use them immediately or store in a plastic bag in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to two days. Fresh figs can be frozen whole, sliced, or peeled in a sealed container for ten to twelve months.

Can you eat apricots with red spots?

However, the scab is usually superficial. Fruit that is peeled should be perfectly edible. The fungus that causes scab, Cladosporium carpophilum, is responsible for scab on peaches, apricots, nectarines, and plums.

What causes freckles on apricots?

Scab or freckle is a fungal disease of stone fruit caused by Venturia carpophila (anamorph Fusicladium carpophilum = Cladosporium carpophilum). The disease is found worldwide, especially in warm, wetter areas.

What is the white stuff on dried apricots?

Inspect fruits for white spots on the surface, which is an indication of mold. Semi-dried fruits (usually in foil packages) do not require rehydration. Add directly to recipes or eat them as a snack. Most dried apricots are imported into the U.S. Sun-dried varieties taste best.

What fruits should not be refrigerated?

Avocado, apples, bananas, citrus fruits, berries, peaches, apricots, and nectarines should be stored out of the fridge. Refrigerating these fruits will result in loss of flavors and textures.

How do you keep cantaloupe fresh?

How to Store Cantaloupe. Let a not-quite-ready cantaloupe ripen at room temperature for up to two days (keeping it in a closed paper bag will speed up the process). Refrigerate a whole ripe melon for up to five days. For cut wedges of cantaloupe, cover the surfaces and refrigerate for up to three days.

Do you wash plums before freezing?

All you need to do is wash the plums and place the whole fruits in a plastic bag in the freezer. Bite into these whole frozen plums for an instantly refreshing burst of cool juice. … Plums aren’t the only fresh produce we’re freezing.

Should you wash apricots?

Stone fruits such as apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and pluots should be rubbed firmly then rinsed under running water. Grapes, berries, and cherries should all be washed under running water just before eating.

How can apricot be processed to last longer?

For a long term storage option, dried apricots are an excellent sweet treat. Simply halve and place into a dehydrator. Dried apricots freeze well too.

Can you eat apricot skin?

It’s best to enjoy apricots whole and unpeeled, as the skin boasts large amounts of fiber and nutrients. Be sure to discard the stone, as it’s inedible. Summary Apricots are low in calories and fat while also an excellent source of vitamins A and C.