Early Organic Apriums are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week at the Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market (note that our other seasonal markets are closed, but both the Palm Springs and the Palm Desert Summer Markets will open the first week of June). Apriums are sweet and delicious, but they are also complicated. It took several generations and several hybrids to create this wonderful stone fruit, but we think the work was well worth it!
Apriums are genetically of one quarter Plum and three quarters Apricot, but they don’t get that way directly. Both Apriums (and their cousins, Pluots), are derived from crosses with yet another hybrid fruit called a Plumcot. Apriums resemble apricots on the outside, and have a dense flesh. They are noted for their sweet taste, due in part to their high content of fructose and other complex sugars. The flavor is a mix of apricot and plum, but the apricot flavor tends to dominate.
Did you know: Apriums have a short growing season and are generally only available in California, where they were first developed. Get them now through June, or you’ll likely miss out on this delicious fruit.
Price: $ 4.00 a pound.
