How to properly store apricots at home

Methods for storing unripe fruits

How to store unripe apricots? If you've picked unripe apricots, don't worry—you can try ripening them. What should you do to ripen them? The key is to choose the right storage location for the unripe fruit. The room should be warm and well-lit. It's also worth considering that the fruit will need good ventilation to speed up the ripening process. So, what should you store unripe fruit in?

In paper bags

It's usually recommended to store the harvested fruit in small wooden boxes, but there's another option. If boxes aren't available, you can similarly place the fruit in small paper bags, where they'll ripen perfectly. As mentioned earlier, these fruits ripen (if picked before they're ripe) in a warm, well-lit, and ventilated area, but direct sunlight should be avoided. They can be stored in this way for about 5 days, after which they should be fully ripe.

You can also simply lay them out on paper on the windowsill, and they will ripen in a few days.

It's worth noting that while this method is quite common, and many people pick apricots a little earlier and then ripen them in boxes or bags, it's still recommended to let them ripen on the tree. Even under ideal conditions, they may not ripen fully and remain green or yellow. So, don't rush to pick them from the tree as soon as they appear—let them ripen until they're fully ripe.

Methods for storing ripe apricots

But we pick ripe apricots without delay. They can be eaten fresh or preserved in various ways for later enjoyment in the winter. How do ripe apricots store?

In wooden boxes

Before storing fruit in boxes, wrap each one in parchment paper. It's important to do this correctly: simply piling them up in boxes will prevent you from regularly inspecting them for damage. These guidelines can also significantly extend the shelf life of fruit. If you don't have parchment paper, use any thin paper. Never use plastic wrap, as it can damage fruit.

In the refrigerator or in the cellar

Apricots can be stored in the refrigerator for only a week, and to do so, they should be placed in airtight containers. Storing unpacked apricots in the refrigerator (for example, simply placing them in a bowl) is not recommended, as this reduces the shelf life to 1-2 days. In theory, if you lower the temperature to zero degrees Celsius, you can store this fruit in the refrigerator for up to a month. However, the sooner you consume it, the better. However, even under ideal conditions, these fruits don't have a very long shelf life.

In a cellar at a temperature of about 5°C, the fruit will keep for about a month. What should you do to ensure this? First, sort through the harvest and select only undamaged fruit. Even slightly bruised fruit is best consumed immediately—it won't keep for long.

The fruits are wrapped in paper or simply placed in boxes with individual compartments, ensuring that they do not touch each other. In this condition, they should be stored in the cellar. And remember: check them regularly. If you don't eat them promptly, they will become soft and dry, losing almost all their flavor.

Freezing

This is a very popular method, but it's important to consider the specifics of the fruit variety, as not all varieties are suitable for freezing. You can freeze the fruit whole or in slices. First, wash the fruit, cut it if necessary, and remove the seeds.

Next, spread them out on a flat surface and place them in the freezer for a couple of hours. After that, remove them and package them in bags (making sure to pack them so that you can eat all the fruit in one bag at once). Once in the freezer, they can be stored for up to a year.

Drying

This is also a very effective storage method, especially if you like dried fruit. Wash the apricots and remove the pits (optional). Then, carefully spread them out on any flat surface in the shade with a draft and leave for a couple of days. It's important that they don't touch each other.

After a couple of days in the shade, bring them out into the sun for about a week. Once they've wilted slightly, bring them indoors overnight. To make it easier, string them on a string and store them in partial shade for a few weeks. After that, pack them into bags and refrigerate them—they'll keep this way for up to six months.

Video: How to Make Dried Apricots Yourself

This video will show you how to make dried apricots from your own apricots.