Tunisian apricot question

[Andrew Fenton]

The culinary high point of my trip to Tunisia this June may well have been the wonderful fruits there: peaches and watermelon were in season, and I had some truly excellent plums as well.

But my favorite fruit was a sort of yellow apricot, juicier and tarter than the apricots we get in the US. It was amazing, and I wish I could get them here.

At the time, I asked, and was told, the name of these apricots. But like an idiot, I didn't write it down, and naturally have forgotten. Also like an idiot, I didn't take a photo of the apricots.

So I appeal to you: can anybody help me identify these apricots? What are they called?

Edited July 17, 2006 by Andrew Fenton (log)

[Swisskaese]

I am not sure what the names of the apricots are, but here is a link to apricot varieties that are available in the US:

Apricot varieties

In Israel, we can get both sour and sweet varieties, but I don't know the names. I will see if I can find out.

Edited July 18, 2006 by Dave the Cook (log)

[Pontormo]

Ask Russ Parsons.

Meanwhile, see how proud Tunisia is: No. 1609.

And talk about specialization.

[ohev'ochel]

sucre de holub maybe?

other kinds in that area:

* Bakria

* Canino

* Del Patriarca

* Luizet

* Loudaya

[russ parsons]

i'm afraid i'm not much help. don't know much about no tunisian apricots. but i do know about american apricots. pretty simple: not much point. there are two really terrific apricots grown here: blenheims (sometimes called royals, sometimes called royal blenheims) and moorpark. but you'll almost never see them fresh except at farmers markets, and then only rarely. the industry has been almost completely taken over by really mediocre fresh 'cots like castlebrite and patterson. the good ones are complete pains in the asses to grow (so most folks can't stay in business farming them) and they are small and imperfect cosmetically (so most folks don't want to buy them.

[Andrew Fenton]

And talk about specialization.

Only 147 euros! Such a deal...

Agreed that most US apricots are lousy. Though I did get some really good ones from my local farmers' market last week. If they have them again this week (and even if they don't), I'll ask about the variety.

[v. gautam]

Does Mesh-mesh Amrah ring any bells?

Dr.Joe Goffreda, New Jersey Agriculcutural Experimental Station, Cream Ridge, Rutgers, NJ, is one of the leading apricot breeders in the USA. He might be a good person to answer your question. Best of luck.

g