Most people have never tasted a perfectly ripe, fragrant apricot, or felt juice run as they bit into it or wondered at how the tangy flavor even seems to well on the tongue after swallowing.

Local apricots have been ripening for the last week or so. If you love this fragile fruit, pay attention! The season does not last long. Most trees have harvestable fruit for just two or three weeks.

Jam recipes are a great way to make the most of fresh fruit and enjoy it year-round. Whether you’re using berries, stone fruits, or something more unique, homemade jam brings a fresh, fruity flavor ...

In its small glass jar, the apricot jam looked smooth and dense — closer to apple butter than glossy preserves. Apricots will always darken during cooking, but this stuff had deepened a few shades ...

8 cups washed, pitted apricots chopped into bite-size pieces (about 4½ pounds ripe or slightly underripe whole fruit) 2 cups granulated sugar ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from 3-6 lemons) ...