 |
| Black Velvet Apricots |
 |
| Beautiful plum colored skin with the sunshine yellow flesh |
I found a new fruit that I had not seen before, a Black Velvet Apricot. The history is that this variety is a "aprium" variety or basically a cross between a plum and an apricot. Comprised genetically of one-fourth plum and three-fourths apricot, the aprium, like the pluot, is derived from another hybrid fruit called a plumcot.
Apriums have the shape of an apricot, the flesh is usually dense, and mainly only available in the United States during the month of June and July. These are unlike pluots which can be seen well into the fall season.
Black velvet apricots have a closer texture and flavor to a plum with a high level of acidity and juice. The dark, purple-red skin is soft, fuzzy, and lacks the bitter tang of plum skin, and the small pit can be removed easily.
So now that you know the history I wanted to share a quick recipe and pictures of this amazing hybrid. I made a very basic recipe with them because their flavor is so unique that I wanted it to shine.
Black Velvet Jam
6 cups Black Velvet Apricots, unpeeled but pitted and chopped
Apriums have the shape of an apricot, the flesh is usually dense, and mainly only available in the United States during the month of June and July. These are unlike pluots which can be seen well into the fall season.
Black velvet apricots have a closer texture and flavor to a plum with a high level of acidity and juice. The dark, purple-red skin is soft, fuzzy, and lacks the bitter tang of plum skin, and the small pit can be removed easily.
So now that you know the history I wanted to share a quick recipe and pictures of this amazing hybrid. I made a very basic recipe with them because their flavor is so unique that I wanted it to shine.
Black Velvet Jam
6 cups Black Velvet Apricots, unpeeled but pitted and chopped
2 cups sugar
2 T. bottled lemon juice
2 T. bottled lemon juice
3 T. Ball Flex batch pectin
 |
| A gorgeous rose colored jam! |
In a large pot, mix together apricots and lemon juice. Cook for 15 minutes on medium heat stirring occasionally. As the apricots start to breakdown, add 2 cups of sugar and cook for another five minutes. Bring recipe to a boil over high heat. Stir in pectin and return to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Skim off foam if necessary.
Ladle into sterilized jars to 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims clean. Apply lids and rings. Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Makes 3 half pint jars.
Ladle into sterilized jars to 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims clean. Apply lids and rings. Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Makes 3 half pint jars.
.JPG)
