Fruits are a delicious treat prominent in working toward a healthy body and mind. Experts recommend eating five servings of fruit daily, and changing things up with a seasonal delicacy is an excellent way to keep your taste buds on their toes. When the summer season arrives, you’ll find plenty of fresh fruits.
Knowing when is apricot season is beneficial if your taste buds crave the sweet-tangy stone fruit. You’ll know when to begin searching for ripe apricots to snack on or make into delicious dessert options. There’s much to learn about the apricot season, but you can leverage your knowledge to enjoy the best fruit.
The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect spot to learn more about the types of apricots, their benefits, and when they’ll become ripe. Continue reading to enjoy a natural snack today!
When Is Apricot Season?
Apricots can grow and are available in nearly all of the states in the United States. Hawaii has the most extended apricot season and provides a tropical climate with sunlight and warm temperatures throughout the year. The growing season runs from September until March.
Other states have much shorter growing periods. The summer season is prime time to watch apricots grow before picking them from the tree. You don’t want to miss May and June if you’re obsessed with these sweet-tangy stone fruits.
Colorado is a notable state for apricots, with a growing season lasting from May through September. Washington and Oregon have growing seasons from May until late July or early August. If you’re willing to travel, you’re more likely to find the ripe apricots you crave.
Benefits of Ripe Apricots
When you dive into the advantages of eating fresh apricots, you’ll find several impressive benefits for your body and mind. Apricots are rich in nutrients and microelements, which are crucial for your body’s healthy growth and development.
Each apricot you eat gives your body a hefty dose of magnesium, beta-carotene, phosphorous, folic acid, and iron. You get several critical components to help your body thrive in one tasty fruit.
Other vitamins you’ll enjoy when eating ripe apricots include Vitamin B, A, C, E, and H. Jump at the chance to buy ripe apricots if you want to improve your diet with a sweet snack.
Importance of Knowing the Growing Season
Apricots, like peaches, are a seasonal fruit. If you don’t know the season in your area, you’ll likely miss an opportunity to purchase these fruits with fuzzy skin. You must know when to begin shopping at local grocery stores and farmer’s markets to find the best apricots.
Knowing when the season begins will help you secure the most flavor-packed apricots. It’s also critical if you wish to support local farmers and small businesses in your area. Take advantage of the opportunity and find culinary experiences you want to create with apricot-based desserts and pastries.
Types of Apricots
There are several types of apricots to learn about as apricot season approaches. The different options have features that help them stand out, and learning to identify them will help you find your favorite options. Here’s a look at the size, flavor profile, and color of the ripe apricots in your area this summer.
Tilton Apricots
Tilton apricots are an option that grows later during the summer season. They’re notable for their mild sweetness; many love them as summer treats before autumn. Look for these apricots toward the end of the season to get your sweet-tangy stone fruit fix before the apricot season concludes.
Harglow Apricots
Another type of apricot to look for when planning a picking or shopping session is the Harglow apricot. It’s prized for the quick ripening process and sweet flavor. If you enjoy apricots early in the season, Harglow apricots are the best option for your snack or culinary needs.
Moorpark Apricots
The first thing you’ll notice when you look at or hold a Moorpark apricot is its size compared to the other typical types in the United States. They’re a large and juicy variety, providing a tangy taste to compliment the sweetness you’d expect from these stone fruits.
They’re among the best apricot options if you want them as a quick and nutritious snack. You can also use canning techniques to make a jam with your tasty apricots.
Blenheim Apricots
Blenheim apricots are much smaller than Moorpark apricots but have many of the same features and uses. The Blenheim variety stands out for the exceptional sweetness it provides.
They’re notable for their smaller size compared to other types of apricots. The rich flavor makes them an excellent option for baked goods and canning. You can find Blenheim apricots throughout the summer season.
Timeline of Apricot Season
The timeline of the apricot season begins in late spring. The apricot trees begin preparing to bear fruit in mid-to-late May. The apricots that ripen in the early part of the summer season have a more tart taste than those that ripen later in the summer.
If you prefer early-season options, California is an excellent place to shop for apricots. The best time to visit is during May and June to enjoy these tart treats.
The peak of apricot season hits during the middle of the summer. June through July are the best time to shop for and pick ripe apricots. You’ll find the juiciest and sweetest apricots during this part of the season.
It’s best to load up on the ripe apricots you find when shopping during those months if you have plans to make jam or can the fruit. You can also consume them clean as an afternoon snack.
The timeline extends into fall, providing a last-chance opportunity for shoppers to find quality apricots before the season ends. You can extend your apricot-eating experience into the autumn months with well-timed purchases.
Many of the autumn apricots have an extra sweet and tangy flavor. You can count on these apricots lingering until late August to September, depending on where you live.
Primary Factors Determining Apricot Season
Understanding the factors influencing the start of the apricot season will help you time your trips to the farmer’s market to load up on this seasonal delicacy. There are several notable factors to track and consider when beginning your quest to find ripe apricots.
Having the best information at your disposal will lead you in the proper direction to find the fresh, sweet-tangy stone fruit you need for your canning and baking needs. Here’s a closer look at the factors to monitor.
Weather Patterns
Weather patterns are unpredictable, and the amount of sunlight and rain apricot trees receive significantly determines when apricots begin fruiting. A heat spell early in spring can result in an early harvest for farmers, meaning you should head to the farmer’s market sooner than later.
Late frosts have the opposite effect on the apricot growing season. The frost will cause a delay in producing ripe apricots. Farmers will try to adapt to these changing conditions.
Watching your area’s weather forecast is the best way to ensure you get your hands on ripe apricots during the season. During the high season, you’ll time your shopping spree to buy as many ripe apricots as possible. You can also use apricot seeds to grow trees on your property to enjoy free apricots at your home.
Cultivation Processes
Preparing apricot trees to bear fruit is a complex process. You’ll need to prune the tree to encourage more fruit growth, and you’ll want to fertilize the tree to encourage more healthy fruit. Irrigation is another critical step in producing ripe apricots for farmers and homesteaders.
These cultivation processes affect the growing season for apricots. A well-maintained apricot orchard will produce better fruit for a more extended period. An experienced farmer can also manipulate the growing season to time the harvest to collect the freshest fruit.
Climate Change
Climate change results in warmer winters and springs, changing the timeline for ripe apricots appearing on trees and in orchards. The farmers growing these seasonal treats monitor the changes and adjust their growing season to work with the weather.
Talk with farmers in your area to understand when to expect ripe apricots. The window of opportunity is small, and knowing when to expect apricots to come to market will help you prepare your finances.
Tips for Picking and Storing Apricots
Buying ripe apricots from your local farmer’s market is a fun experience, but picking them from an apricot orchard is an excellent way to create wholesome memories with your family. If you plan to pick apricots, knowing the best methods and techniques for picking and storing them is beneficial.
It’s critical to know how to spot a ripe apricot. Pick ripe fruit if you want a classic taste from this seasonal delicacy. Deep and vibrant colors indicate you’ve found a prime candidate for a snack, canning, or dessert.
The fuzzy skin should also be soft and delicate to the touch. If the apricot you’re picking feels hard, it’s likely not ready for consumption.
Another telltale sign to look for is the fragrance. Ripe apricots have a fragrance similar to candy. If you can smell the apricot’s aroma and it feels soft, pick it and enjoy your sweet-tangy stone fruit.
Fresh is the best way to enjoy ripe apricots, though that isn’t always possible when buying in bulk. Finding a suitable place to store your fruit is vital to prevent them from spoiling.
Your home’s refrigerator is the best place to store your extra apricots until needed. Avoid stacking them to prevent bruising. Your extra apricots will stay fresh for another week with proper storage techniques.
Where to Source Apricots
Now that you know how to determine ripe apricots and where to store them, you can begin planning your first shopping trip to load up on these seasonal and sweet treats. Orchards provide a memorable place to get your apricots, but shopping is a quick and convenient way to prepare for making apricot treats for your family.
The local farmer’s market is one of the best spots for apricots and other fruits with fuzzy skin. Your trip to the farmer’s market should provide access to multiple varieties of apricots to suit your needs. Talk with the farmers and growers to learn more about the fruits they grow.
A Community Supported Agriculture group is another fantastic way to enjoy ripe apricots during summer. The group will source locally-grown apricots and sell them to members at a fair price.
As a member, you’ll receive a consistent supply of fresh fruit, including ripe apricots. It’s one of the best paths to enjoy fresh produce for your cooking needs.
Apricot Meals to Try
Apricots are a versatile fruit; you can use them to compliment an entree or cultivate a sweet dessert. One of the best dessert options to make is an apricot tart. Use a buttery crust with ripe apricots and a dash of honey to take your taste buds on a wild ride.
Grilled apricots are another delightful summer dessert to try. Carmelize the apricot halves and serve them in a bowl with your favorite vanilla ice cream.
You can also use your sweet-tangy stone fruit to prepare incredible dinner entrees. Apricot glazed chicken is a must-try dinner option; you can use it to coat grilled or braised chicken.
Fresh apricots are an excellent pairing with your favorite salad. You can count on the seasonal delicacy to add a new dimension to your lunch and dinner plans. You can also use your apricots to prepare a flavorful chutney.
Start Preparing for Apricot Season Today
Knowing when is apricot season is essential if you’re an avid baker, canner, or connoisseur of the sweet-tangy stone fruit. The season’s length depends on the location, with Hawaii enjoying the longest summer season.
The standard growing season begins in late May and runs until July. You can source ripe apricots at orchards and local farmer’s markets.
Making the most of the food you purchase at the market and grocery store is vital to keep your taste buds happy. Learn more about cooking and cuisines with our Food content today!