Sweet & In Season – Apriums

At first glance, these beauties look like apricots. Take one more look. These seasonal treats are a blissful marriage of an apricot + plum resulting in a sweet, unblemished, tasty fruit treat…

These little gems of a fruit were offered in a generous package from Costco a couple of weeks ago. Eager to enjoy more, I was disappointed that they’re no longer available for now. Speaking of Costco, the warehouse retailer giant has reportedly become the largest organic grocer in the U.S., according to an article in the Seattle Times. When you’re shopping down the aisles at Costco, notice the price signs that are colored green. Green price/informational signs indicate an organic product. Convenient!

Since the nearest, better farmer’s market is about 25-35 minutes from me (and only open Saturdays), Costco is in a sense my farmer’s market. I look forward to discovering what’s new in the produce area and eagerly set a beeline path to that section when shopping. Most of the time, its the only place I can find difficult to find produce and produce that tend to be very pricey in local markets (including farmers markets). During citrus season we were able find and enjoy several healthy (by healthy I mean by quantity) crates of Cara cara navel oranges – prized red-fleshed and sweet healthful citrus.

Back on track, let’s feature these precious sweet and in season – Apriums®…

Apriums are hand pollinated with no genetic modifications and generations of 30% plum and 70% apricot hybrids, (whereas the pluots are also plum and apricot hybrids leaning more on the plum features). Popularity and demand for these cross-breed fruits have lately skyrocketed!

These apricot sized fruit have a rather short season availability. They’re worth looking forward to with a juicy, sweet/intense flavor, firm flesh and an ever-so-slight exterior fuzz with a more bright orange-reddish color (like the nectarine). Family Tree Farms lists variations of their apriums from the end of May to mid-June (Bella Jewel and Bella Sun varieties) and then again from mid-July through the end of August (Rose and Purple Rose varieties).

They’re easy to eat and ideal for lunches, snack time and adding to salads or grilling. However, my favorite way to enjoy these fruits is just eating them as is. Nature’s (or the horticulturalists, Luther Burbank and Floyd Zaiger’s) decades of perfection! Look for them when they’re available again in the next weeks!

More about Apriums: