General Information
Black Velvet™ apricots have the initial appearance of an orb-shaped dark plum, a physical trait inherited from its plum parentage. Its skin is covered with a near invisible fuzz, which gives it a smooth velvet finish. The fruit’s flesh is golden hue with tones of ruby red where the flesh meets the skin. When ripe, the flesh is sweet forward with a bright and tangy finishing mouthful. The flesh has a soft melting quality with layers of juice that make the fruit’s consistency delicious when just ripe, yet once overly mature can become mealy and less pleasant, as the fruit continues to ripen after being picked.
History
The apricot is native to and originally discovered in the mountainous regions of north-central and northwestern China. Trade routes, exploration and time would spread the fruit from Asia into Europe and eventually the New World. Most New World apricots are of European origins. The Black Velvet™ apricot is a 21st Century proprietary variety developed by Kingsburg Orchards. It is one of several Kingsburg Orchard proprietary varieties that are identified within a series of Velvet™ apricots, including Red, Gold, Crimson, Blue and Ruby Velvet. These interspecific fruits rely on utilizing rootstock to develop new crops. Black Velvet™ apricots thrive in climates where winter temperatures are cool but not cold and the summer season is long, warm and dry.
