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Dried Fruit • Stone Fruit

Apricots

Naturally sweet and chewy for trail mixes and baking your everyday pantry staple.

What it is

Dried apricots are fresh apricots that have had their moisture removed through drying, concentrating their sweet-tart flavor and creating a chewy texture. They're made from the same orange stone fruit you'd find fresh in summer.

Flavor and texture

Sweet with a hint of tartness and a pleasantly chewy, slightly sticky texture. The flavor is more concentrated than fresh apricots.

Best uses

Eat as a healthy snack, add to trail mix or granola, chop into oatmeal or yogurt, use in baking cookies and breads, or add to savory dishes like rice pilaf or tagines.

Storage & freshness

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry away from direct light.

As purchased6-12 monthsdepending on bin turnover and storage conditions
Sealed (pantry)12-18 monthsif kept airtight in cool, dry place
Refrigerated2-3 yearsextends shelf life significantly
Frozen3-5 yearstexture may become slightly softer when thawed

Durations are for best quality. Safe to consume longer if no spoilage signs present.

Signs of spoilage
hard texturedark spotsmoldsour smellinsect activityexcessive dryness

Natural sugars may crystallize on surface — this is normal and does not indicate spoilage.

Cooking tip

Soak dried apricots in warm water for 10-15 minutes before chopping to make them easier to cut and prevent them from sticking to your knife.

Interesting note

Apricots have been cultivated for over 4,000 years in China and Central Asia. They spread west along ancient trade routes, including the Silk Road, eventually reaching the Middle East and Europe.

Quick facts

Category
Dried Fruit
Subcategory
Stone Fruit
Serving size
1/4 cup (40g)
Flavor profile
sweet with hint of tartness, concentrated
Form
dried, whole
Processing
Minimally Processed
Cuisine
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, European, American
Role
Sweetener
Dispenser
Gravity Bin

Pairs well with

Related foods

Nutrition snapshot

Calories
48 kcal
Protein
1.4 g
Fat
0.4 g
Carbohydrates
11.1 g
Fiber
2 g

Basis: per 100 g · USDA FoodData Central · Match confidence: High