Ideally, shop for them when they are in season: Australia = between November through February USA Northern Hemisphere = between mid-May through mid-August. USA Southern Hemisphere = between November through January. UK = between May through September. Avoid imported apricots as they will generally be either over or under-ripe. Colour - look for orange-gold in coloured skins with some redness. Avoid the pale yellow or greenish-yellow ones, as they are not ripe. Skin - should be blemish-free and smooth; avoid wrinkled ones as they are likely old and overripe. Firmness - ripe apricots should be firm to the touch but give slightly when gently squeezed. Hard apricots can ripen so long as they are not greenish. Soft, squishy apricots should also be avoided as they are overripe.