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PRODUCT PROFILE
BLENHEIM APRICOT
Blenheim apricots are gems of the stone fruit world. These delicate morsels are prized for their flavor, succulent and sweet, they are the epitome of what an apricot should taste like. Blenheims are a wonderful treat when fresh, but are often dried, canned, or jellied. Just twenty years ago, Blenheim apricot trees dotted all of Santa Clara Valley. Now, however, this rare heirloom apricot variety is grown primarily in Hollister, where they thrive in the acidic soil, cool nights, and warm days. Only about 800 acres of Blenheim trees remain in this area, and developers are rapidly encroaching on the valuable land they occupy. Blenheim farmers predict that Blenheim orchards will disappear altogether in the next twenty years. Despite their unique flavor, demand for the Blenheim has plummetted in recent years. Not the most beautiful variety, consumers often overlook Blenheims on store shelves. Even when ripe, they possess a greenish tint, and are often mottled with reddish spots. Once harvested, Blenheims can bruise under their own weight and have a shelf life of just several days. Their delicate nature makes it difficult for farmers to pick and store them, and for distributers to transport. Today, most Blenheims are dried or canned, and can only be purchased fresh at local Farmer’s Markets. Try baking up some APRICOT CHOCOLATE ALMOND BISCOTTI, a delightful dessert that can be made year round with fresh or dried blenheims. |
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