The first English apricot crop has arrived on Sainsbury’s shelves, thanks to warmer summers and improved growing systems.
The arrival is the first commercial-sized crop to be grown in England. Previously production had been the sole preserve of cottage gardens and enthusiastic amateurs.
The new crop has been grown in Kent for Sainsbury's and will be in 50 stores it said.
The fruit comes from new self-fertilising varieties of trees grown commercially in the open for the first time.
Theresa Huxley, product technologist, said: “Our fruit growers are using technology and their expertise to turn Kent into the English Mediterranean.
"They taste every bit as good as any of the fruit from France or Spain. Because the fruit remains on the tree for longer, many experts argue they have a sweeter flavour than imported fruit."
