How To Harvest & Store Aprium – A Guide to Enjoying this Delicious Hybrid Fruit

Apriums, a cross between apricots and plums, offer a unique blend of flavors that many fruit enthusiasts adore. To fully enjoy their delicious taste and maintain their freshness, it’s important to know when and how to harvest and store apriums. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps for harvesting and storing these delectable fruits.

Harvesting Apriums

1. Timing is Crucial: Apriums are ready to harvest when they have developed a deep orange to reddish color and feel slightly soft when gently squeezed. Like apricots, they should be firm but not mushy.
2. The Twist Test: To determine if an aprium is ripe for picking, gently cup it in your hand and give it a slight twist. If it easily separates from the tree with a gentle twist, it’s ready. If it resists, allow it more time to ripen.
3. Harvesting Technique: When picking apriums, handle them gently to avoid damaging the fruit. Twist the fruit while lifting it upward to ensure it detaches from the tree without any harm.
4. Use a Container: Carry a basket or container with you while harvesting to prevent the apriums from getting squished or bruised. This will help maintain their quality.
5. Don’t Rush: It’s better to harvest apriums slightly underripe than overripe. Overripe apriums can be too soft and may not store well, while slightly underripe ones can continue to ripen indoors.

Storing Fresh Apriums

1. Immediate Storage: If you plan to consume the apriums within a day or two, place them in a single layer in a shallow bowl or on a countertop at room temperature. This will allow them to ripen fully and develop their flavors.
2. Refrigeration: For longer-term storage, transfer ripe apriums to a plastic or paper bag and place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. The bag helps maintain moisture and prevents the fruit from drying out.
3. Regular Inspection: Check the stored apriums regularly and remove any that have become overripe or damaged to prevent them from affecting the others.

Freezing Apriums

Freezing apriums is an excellent way to preserve their flavor for future use.

1. Wash and Slice: Wash the apriums, slice them in half, and remove the pits. You can choose to leave the skin on or peel it, depending on your preference.
2. Pack and Freeze: Arrange the sliced apriums on a baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch, and place them in the freezer until they become solid. Once frozen, transfer the aprium slices to airtight freezer bags or containers, squeezing out excess air. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to six months.

Drying Apriums

Dried apriums make for a convenient and tasty snack.

1. Slice and Pit: Wash the apriums, slice them in half, and remove the pits.
2. Pre-Treat (Optional): To preserve color and prevent browning, you can dip the sliced apriums in a solution of water and lemon juice (1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water) before drying.
3. Dehydrate: Arrange the aprium halves on dehydrator trays, leaving space for air circulation. Follow your dehydrator’s instructions for drying fruit, typically taking 12 to 24 hours.
4. Store: Once dried to your preferred texture (leathery or slightly chewy), allow the dried apriums to cool completely before storing them in airtight containers. Keep them in a cool, dark place for several months.

By following these steps for harvesting and storing apriums, you can ensure that you have a supply of this delectable fruit to enjoy throughout the year. Whether you prefer to eat them fresh, refrigerate, freeze, or dry them, proper handling and storage methods will help preserve their flavor and quality.