APRICOTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Though Apricots originated in Asia, they were brought to the Mediterranean where European plant breeders produced the apricot we know today. California is the largest producer of Apricots in the U.S. followed by Washington, Idaho, Utah and Colorado.
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Description: There are primarily two types of Apricots: European and Asian.
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Most of the Apricot varieties grown in the U.S. are European Apricots. European Apricots are small, round-headed trees, ultimately reaching a height of up to 30 feet.
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Asian Apricots resemble the European kinds, but are smaller, only reaching a height from six to 15 feet, and they are shrubby instead of tree-like. The fruit of the Asian Apricots grow one or 2 inches and the taste varies from sweet to sour.
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Growing environment Apricots are very early bloomers, which makes them susceptible to injury from late spring frosts. A warm spell during the spring or even the winter urges the flower or leaf buds to begin swelling and the subsequent cold kills them. European Apricots grow only in mild climates; Asian Apricots are hardier and can survive harsh winters, though will still be damaged if the weather warms enough to induce blooming and then freezes up again. Apricots grow safely in mild climates and in very cold climates, where winter stays until late in the season and then lets up.
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Varietals
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California
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Halves: Bright orange color, rich flavor with tart/sweet taste.
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Diced: ¼” to ½” pieces of fruit, roughly cubic shape.
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Paste: Produced by grinding prepared dried apricots.
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Double Diced: Random pieces of fruit roughly cubic in shape.
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Varigrade: Bright orange to medium amber-color varies piece to piece.
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Mediterranean
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Turkish
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Whole Pitted: Yellow to orange in color, delicate apricot flavor. Texture somewhat softer than California type apricots.
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Nutritional Information/Reference websites
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www.califapricot.com (California Apricot Council)
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BLUE STAR
TRADE &MARKETING
CASHEWS
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Cashews are a tree nut that grows primarily in India, Brazil, and Tanzania.
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Grades for Cashew Kernel:
White Wholes (“W”)
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W-180
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W-210
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W-240
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W-320
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W-450
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W-500
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White Wholes: White/pale ivory/light ash. Characteristic shape.
Grades for Cashew Kernel-Scorched Wholes (“SW”)
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SW-180
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SW-210
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SW-240
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SW-320
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SW-450
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SW-500
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SW: Kernels may be scorched/slightly darkened due to over-heating while roasting or drying in drier/borma.
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Grades for Cashew Kernels-Dessert Wholes (“DW”)
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Scorched Wholes Seconds (“SSW”): Kernels may be over-scorched, immature, shriveled, speckled, discolored and light blue.
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Dessert Wholes (“DW”): Kernels may be deep scorched, deep brown, deep blue, speckled, discolored and black spotted.
Grades for Cashew Kernels-White Pieces (“WP”)
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Butts (“B”): White/pale ivory or light ash. Kernels broken cross-wise (evenly or unevenly) naturally attached.
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Splits (“S”): White/pale ivory or light ash. Kernels split naturally lengthwise.
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Large White Pieces (“LWP”): White, pale ivory or light ash.
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Small White Pieces (“SWP”): White/pale ivory or light ash
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Baby Bits (“BB”)
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Grades for Cashew Kernels-Scorched
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Scorched Butts (“SB”): Kernels broken crosswise (evenly or unevenly) and naturally attached. Kernels may be scorched/slightly darkened due to over heating while roasting or drying in the drier/borma.
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Scorched Splits (“SS”): Kernels split naturally lengthwise. Kernels may be scorched/slightly darkened due to over heating while roasting or drying in drier/borma.
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Scorched Pieces (“SP”): Kernels may be scorched/slightly darkened due to over-heating while roasting or drying in drier/borma.
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Scorched Small Pieces (“SSP”): Kernels may be scorched/slightly darkened due to over-heating while roasting or drying in drier.
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Grades for Cashew Kernels-Dessert Pieces
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Scorched Pieces Seconds (“SPS”): Kernels may be over-scorched, immature, shriveled, speckled, discolored and light blue.
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Dessert Pieces (“DP”): Kernels may be deep scorched, deep brown, deep blue, speckled, discolored and back spotted.
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