Apricot King!

[DaisyM]

I had read several posts re Apricot King and had to place an order. The slip pit apricots are the best apricots I've ever tasted. They are incredibly moist. You can't compare regular dried apricots to these. It is so rare to find something that you say, "so that's what it is suppose to taste like". This is one of them.

www.apricotking.com

Also, their sugared walnuts are amazing. They taste like very fresh pralines, but without that teeth numbing sweetness.

Thanks to all who originally posted about this company

[greygarious]

They are offering $10 off shipping for orders over $75, through 12/10/2011: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.c...

I'm still working on my last order of luscious, moist pit-in dried Blenheims, with their amaretto-like finish. (They need soaking/draining/refrigeration before enjoying). To quote that line from Seinfeld, "They're real - and they're spectacular!"

[HillJ]

gg, great quote. the link tho isn't working.
best to start from here: http://www.apricotking.com/

[greygarious]

I am bumping this topic out of curiosity about what new customers think of their Apricot King orders. I did not know the first time I ordered the pit-in apricots that they are supposed to be soaked, and had to ask Patti how. Whether starting with room temp, chilled, or frozen cots you put them in cold tap water for a couple of hours, then drain well. They will be stickily wet. Put them into a covered glass jar and refrigerate. After a day of chilling, the moisture will have equalized and the cots will be tender throughout.

Once you've sucked the pits of all flavor, put 'em out for the squirrels, or rinse off and save for crafts and Martha-ish decor like a layer of pits at the bottom of a clear glass candle holder.

[DaisyM]

Greygarious, I'm so glad you posted. I just placed another order and included a bag of pit-in apricots because of your previous post. I never would have known about the soaking method. Looking forward to comparing them to the slip cots. Those apricots are so great!

[tcamp]

I didn't know about the soaking either. I've been really enjoying the pit-in apricots, eaten straight from a plastic bag stashed in my desk drawer. Unsoaked. I used the prunes in a chicken/olive/garlic dish and the cherries in cookies. All very good.

I never considered using the pits for squirrel food or crafts. Squirrels appear to be busy nibbling the green tomatoes on my deck, anyway. No need to serve dessert.

[tcamp]

You are all very persuasive. Just placed my first order for apricots, prunes, and cherries.

[greygarious]

The prunes are larger than the Sunkist ones bagged with the Kirkland label at Costco, but IMO are not any juicier or tastier. The cherries, apricots, white nectarines, and pears are my favorites.

[tcamp]

Thanks, I'll do a comparison when my AK order arrives. I like to chop them up and put them in oatmeal cookies. Makes me feel good to sneak prunes into my kids' lunches.

[greygarious]

Now that I have safely ordered my 10 pounds of pit-in Blenheims, I will announce that they are back up on the website, in limited supply. For those of you who have enjoyed the slip-pits but not tried the pit-ins, I recommend the latter. The slippies have a slight amaretto flavor from being dried with the pits inside but that flavor is more pronounced with the pit-ins. Pass it on.....

[buttertart]

You arm-twister, you. I just sprang for some of those and some other treats. The promo code is still in effect!

ETA I'm very interested in the walnut flour (which I ordered), should be great in cookies and tortes...

[greygarious]

Psssst!!! I contacted Apricotking to ask if pit-ins were available. Patty e-mailed back that they didn't make any pit-ins this season but that there were still 15 one-pound bags in cold storage, from last year. I ordered 10 of them. That leaves 5 for the rest of the world.....

[Becca Porter]

Has anyone tried the Simply Slabs? How do they compare to the regular dried slab cots?

[Bob W]

Thanks for the reminder that it's time for me to place an order with the King!

BTW, their advice to keep the apricots in the fridge is spot on. I'm just finishing up a huge bag and they are just as moist and sweet as they were the day they arrived.

[DaisyM]

Just got an email that starting Sept 7 they will have a $10 off promo on their website.

[Becca Porter]

placing my sale order today..... :)

[HillJ]

DaisyM, I'm a big Apricot King! NJ sells plenty of dried fruit but once you've ordered from AK you just can't settle for anything less. Awesome grower, great customer service, outstanding products. I have 3 large bags of dried apricots in my freezer as I type here. I use them for all sorts of snacking, baking, entrees. But I also soak a handful in warm water and then whirl them in a food processor for the BEST instant apricot puree/jam ever with my morning yogurt or smoothie.

So, good on you for buying from the KING!

[DaisyM]

HillJ, I'm ashamed to say that I ate almost half a bag! I'll try making the puree when I open up the bag of slab. I don't think they will be making it to the freezer.

[HillJ]

Too funny, that's why I buy three big bags at a time!

[Becca Porter]

I am up to buying two big bags at a time, but I am going to have to step it up!

[HillJ]

Ha! I hope Apricot King is reading along-this customer satisfaction will make them very happy!

[Becca Porter]

They have great customer service. The last time I made a purchase, she wrote me a note saying that she used a cheaper shipping method then I paid for, because it was faster. To compensate she sent me a bag of the dried fruit/nut snack mix! Very sweet.

[HillJ]

Are you referring to Patti? If so, she's a doll!

[Becca Porter]

Yes!

[DaisyM]

After dinner last night, my husband said, "so, are they all gone"? Of course I knew he was referring to the apricots and walnuts. By the end of the evening, indeed they were "all gone". I suggested we buy some for holiday gifts and he thought that was a great idea. Am I correct, that the slip pits are only available for a limited time?

[oldunc]

Yowza, long live the King.