British apricots go on sale this week
The first British-grown apricots of the season will go on sale in supermarkets this week – in much higher volumes than in previous years thanks to innovation from suppliers and better growing conditions.
Fourth-generation grower Robert Hinge, based in Kent, will supply the bulk of the fruit that will be on sale at Marks & Spencer until the end of September.
M&S has worked with British growers to offer customers cherries, plums and a few damsons but the real challenge arrived when it wanted to grow a predominantly French-grown fruit – the apricot – in the UK.
The overall warmer temperatures in the UK have improved growing conditions now that winters are warmer, spring arrives earlier and summer stays later. But the the cooler night-time temperature in the UK has made them grow more slowly than their French counterparts, creating a better flavour and with a stronger colour and unique and distinctive "red blush" on the skins.
Following a four-year research project and trials, Hinge, who has been supplying M&S with other locally-grown fruit for over 10 years, identified the right variety of trees, the best soil and the perfect area (the Kent hills) to grow British apricots for large-scale commercial sale for the first time.
Apricots are also being successfully grown in the warmer temperatures of the Isle of Wight and being sold predominantly through Hampshire farmers' markets.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk