Apricot Health Benefits

Apricot Health Benefits

The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus.


Apricots are small-golden orange fruits with velvety skin and flesh, not too juicy but  definitely smooth with a sweet, tart flavor. 


Apricots originated in China and have been around for more than 4,000 years.Trimmings of the apricot tree were progressively brought through the Persian Empire to the Mediterranean where they became a very popular fruit.Apricots were introduced to America by Spanish explorers who planted this fruit in the gardens of Spanish missions throughout California.In 1792, the first major production of apricots started in northern California.Apricots are grown in Chile, New Zealand, Turkey, France, Spain and Italy.  


Apricots are grown on small to medium sized trees, which contain spreading canopies.Apricots grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained soils and are most successful in mild, Mediterranean climates where the weather is warm and there is no possibility of frost.Apricots are picked by hand.The apricot resembles a peach, but is smaller and has a smooth, oval pit that falls out easily when the fruit is halved.Fresh apricots are ripe when they yield to gentle pressure.  

1. Contains high amounts of vitamin A which keeps skin,eyes,gums and bones healthy.


2. Contains good amounts of vitamin C which helps in cell formation, iron absorption and cold prevention.


3. Does not contain saturated fat, sodium or cholesterol.


4. Good source of potassium


5. Excellent source of betacarotene (vitamin A) and iron and fiber.


6. Apricots have a unique mix of anti-oxidants that aids in fighting heart disease and cancer.

Choose fresh apricots that are plump with golden orange color.Avoid ones that are pale yellow, greenish-yellow, shriveled or bruised Apricots, which are soft, have the best flavor.

Fun Facts
1. Did you know apricots are a member of the rose family? 


2. Did you know there are many varieties of apricots; Pattersons, Blenheims, Tiltons, Castlebrites? 


3. Did you know apricots may be eaten raw or cooked? 


4. Did you know apricots are a relative of the peach? 


5. Did you know that apricots ripen earlier than most other summer fruits? 


6. Did you know that apricots are very sweet? 


7. Did you know that any recipe that contains peaches or nectarines can be substituted with apricots?


8. Did you know that Apricots taste sweet because they contain three sugars sucrose, glucose and fructose, which will  give you energy. 


9. Did you know that Apricots can be purchased fresh, canned, frozen, dried and as nectar both in juice and concentrate. 


10. Did you know that essential oil from the pits of apricots is sold commercially as bitter almond oil.


11. Did you know that astronauts ate apricots on the Apollo moon mission. 


12. Did you know that they are often crossed with plums: 
a. pluots (mostly plum),  
b. apriums (mostly apricot) and 
c. plumcots (equal plum and apricot).


13. Did you know that the largest producers of apricots in the world are China and Turkey.