BLENHEIM APRICOTS

Blenheim Apricots by B & R Farms in the Central Valley of California one 8 oz package Since 1929, B & R Farms has preserved one of California’s rarest fruit varieties.  Before the Bay Area became home to tech giants and geniuses, it was once home to beautiful orange orchards that flourished with delicious Blenheim apricots. Complex in flavor, this heirloom apricot variety boasts a tart skin that is perfectly balanced by a sugary-sweet flesh. Even before you take a bite, the Blenheim apricot draws you in with its aroma and beauty.   Like many of nature’s finest gems, the California Blenheim apricot has struggled to survive amongst fierce international competition and global supply chain complexities. Caring for the Blenheim apricot is a risky act of love. Harvest season is short, sometimes condensed to as few as ten days. Yield is often dependent on nature’s wishes, as the variety is prone to both disease and sunburn. Even if the most skilled of growers can successfully harvest, the delicate nature of a fresh Blenheim apricot makes it nearly impossible to transport and ship. These challenges have forced most Blenheim apricot farmers to replace their orchards with hardier and larger yielding crops or even sell land for the urbanization needs of Silicon Valley.  This unique variety has endless uses in the kitchen - with pork chops, slow cooked chicken, grilling marinades, glazes, tagines, or just as a snack! Dried apricots will keep fresh on the counter for weeks, in your refrigerator for several months, or in your freezer for more than a year, in a well-sealed bag or jar.