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Apricots are small, round fruits that flourish on trees. They can take on a slightly oblong or irregular shape, usually measuring 3 to 4 centimeters wide. Apricots may be pale yellow, gold, or burnt orange and have a rosy red-orange blush that covers varying amounts of their skin. This thin skin is smooth and velvety with a seam-like groove that goes from the top to the bottom of the Apricot and divides them into symmetrical halves. The fruit is easily peeled to reveal a juicy and tender flesh with a golden yellow hue that becomes slightly lighter towards the center of the fruit. This flesh has a firm texture that becomes softer and easier to bite into as the fruit matures. In the center of the flesh is a single, hard, central shell enclosing a pit or stone. The fruit has a sweet yet tart flavor that tastes somewhere between a peach and a plum.
Seasons/Availability
Apricots are available from late spring to summer.
Current Facts
Apricots are botanically known as Prunus armeniaca and are members of the rose family, closely related to plums, peaches, cherries, and almonds. Their botanical name is a reference to Armenia, where the ancient Greeks believed the Apricot came from. Popular cultivars include Blenheim, Sungold, Autumn Royal, Moorpark, and Royal Rosa. The Apricot is also a parent fruit for successful hybrids, such as an Apricot-plum cross called pluots as well as apriums and plumcots. Apricots come from all over the world, including those of European and Western origin, as well as Central Asian and Eastern varieties.
Nutritional Value
Apricots are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotenes, supporting healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions. These nutrients also promote radiant skin by encouraging cell regeneration. The vitamin C in this fruit boosts the immune system, aids in collagen production for skin and joint health, and protects against oxidative stress, while also enhancing iron absorption, which is vital for red blood cell production and preventing anemia. The potassium content in Apricots helps regulate blood pressure, supports heart health, and maintains proper muscle and nerve function. Additionally, the calcium in Apricots strengthens bones and teeth, further supporting muscle function and cardiovascular stability.
Applications
Apricots are incorporated into both raw and cooked applications. They may be roasted, grilled, baked, broiled, poached, frozen, cooked into jams, or puréed for sauces and dressings. Apricots are frequently preserved through canning and drying due to their highly perishable nature. They're popularly selected for baked goods like cakes, pies, tarts, crumbles, cheesecakes, and breads. When cooked or carmelized, the fruit compliments proteins like roasted chicken, lamb, duck, ham, and meatballs. Apricots may be diced into salsas, salads, quinoa bowls, yogurt, and stuffings. They are popularly incorporated into liqueurs like brandy. Apricots pair well with other stone fruits, including cherries, plums, and almonds, as well as with hazelnuts, pistachios, coconut, vanilla beans, honey, white chocolate, egg custards, soft cheeses, lemon and orange zest, rocket, ginger, leeks, thyme, basil, chickpeas, squash, and sweet white wines. The pits of some Eastern Apricot varieties have a flavor and appearance similar to an almond that must be roasted before consumption. Store Apricots on the counter at room temperature until ripe and soft to the touch. They should then be eaten or stored in the refrigerator and eaten within a week. For longer storage, they can be blanched, sliced, and frozen for up to 3 months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In many cultures, Apricots have been used in fertility rituals, and their blossoms were often featured in wedding ceremonies. The Apricot harvest traditionally signified the end of winter and the arrival of spring, further strengthening their association with rebirth and renewal. Apricots also held symbolic significance in both Greek and Roman folklore. When Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, was born, she rose from the sea on a massive scallop shell encircled by Apricot trees. In Roman mythology, Aphrodite is known as Venus and was believed to eat Apricots to enhance her allure. Apricot trees were often planted near temples in her honor.
Geography/History
Apricots originated in China and Central Asia around 2000 BCE. They have been cultivated in China, Armenia, and India since antiquity. Trade routes like the Silk Road helped Apricots spread from Asia into Europe, and eventually the New World. They arrived in Europe through Armenia, giving the fruit its scientific name, Prunus armenaica. Alexander the Great is credited with introducing Apricots to Greece, while King Henry VIII’s gardener brought them to England from Italy. Apricots eventually made their way to Virginia through English settlers in the early 1700s, while Spanish missionaries introduced them to the American West Coast in the 18th century. Wild Apricots may be found in forests, grasslands, and mountainous regions of Central Asia. Most varieties are cultivated in private gardens or grown in commercial orchards. They flourish in temperate climates with dry summers and cool winters. Apricots are grown on every continent except Antarctica. They are particularly popular in Iran, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Italy, China, Armenia, and the central coast of California where they can be found at larger grocery stores as well as street markets and home gardens.
Tenerelli Orchards
1 (661) 917-0103 [email protected]
Apricots are highly versatile in culinary applications. They can be used raw or cooked, including roasting, grilling, baking, or puréeing for sauces. Their sweet-tart flavor pairs well with proteins like chicken or lamb and with ingredients such as almonds, pistachios, vanilla, and citrus zest. Once ripe, they are best consumed within a week, but for extended storage, they can be blanched, sliced, and frozen for up to three months.
Almaty Green Centraal market
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Apricots of South Uzbekistan are small and round, usually 3 to 4 centimeters wide, with a velvety, thin skin that varies in color from pale yellow to burnt orange and sometimes features a rosy red-orange blush. Their golden yellow flesh, firm when unripe but tender as they mature, surrounds a central pit. Their sweet yet tart flavor strikes a balance between the taste of peaches and plums, making them uniquely delicious.
Smit Farms
Linden, CA
Apricots: Botanically named Prunus armeniaca, apricots belong to the rose family alongside plums, peaches, and cherries. The name reflects their believed origin in Armenia, as per ancient Greek accounts. They are parent fruits for hybrids such as pluots, apriums, and plumcots, expanding their versatility. Packed with vitamin A, they support night vision and skin health, while their potassium aids heart function and regulates blood pressure, making them both symbolic and nutritionally rich.
Heritage Family Farm
Fallbrook, CA
Apricots originated in China and Central Asia around 2000 BCE and spread to Europe and the New World through trade routes like the Silk Road. Their scientific name, Prunus armeniaca, reflects their arrival in Europe via Armenia. Alexander the Great introduced them to Greece, and they reached England through King Henry VIII's gardener. Today, apricots are cultivated worldwide, thriving in temperate climates with dry summers and cool winters, and are grown on every continent except Antarctica.
Tenerelli Orchards
1 (661) 917-0103 [email protected]
Apricots carry rich cultural symbolism, often associated with fertility, renewal, and beauty. In Greek mythology, Apricot trees surrounded Aphrodite as she emerged from the sea, while in Roman mythology, Venus was believed to consume Apricots to enhance her charm. Their harvest marked the end of winter, emphasizing their ties to rebirth. Apricot blossoms were also a prominent feature in traditional wedding ceremonies, symbolizing love and new beginnings.
Kazakhfilm weekend food fair
Vishnevaya 32, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Apricots are small, round fruits that grow on trees, typically measuring 3 to 4 centimeters wide. They come in shades of pale yellow, gold, and burnt orange, often with a red-orange blush. With their smooth, velvety skin and juicy golden-yellow flesh, the fruit offers a sweet yet tart flavor reminiscent of a blend between peaches and plums. As apricots ripen, their texture softens, making them easier to bite into and enjoy.
Supermarket Magnum
Almagul microdistrict 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Apricots are versatile in cuisine, complementing both raw and cooked dishes. They can be roasted, grilled, baked, or broiled, and pair well with proteins like lamb, chicken, or ham. Apricots enhance desserts such as tarts, cheesecakes, and crumbles, and can be preserved by drying or canning due to their perishable nature. Their pits in some Eastern varieties resemble almonds when roasted, adding another dimension to their culinary use.
Kazakhfilm weekend food fair
Vishnevaya 32, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Apricots of South Kazakhstan. Apricots have historical and cultural significance, being central to fertility rituals and wedding ceremonies in various traditions. Their harvest symbolizes the end of winter and the renewal of spring. In Greek and Roman mythology, Apricots were associated with the goddess Aphrodite (Venus in Roman lore), who was surrounded by Apricot trees at her birth. Romans believed consuming Apricots enhanced Venus's beauty, and trees were planted near temples in her honor.
Scott Farms
Dinuba, California
Apricots originated in China and Central Asia around 2000 BCE and spread westward via trade routes like the Silk Road. Alexander the Great introduced them to Greece, and King Henry VIII’s gardener brought them to England. English settlers brought apricots to Virginia in the 1700s, while Spanish missionaries introduced them to the American West. Today, they are grown on every continent except Antarctica, thriving in temperate climates with dry summers and cool winters.
Fruits and Vegetables mini market "Mango fruits"
улица Гагарина 195, Алматы 050060, Казахстан
Apricots are botanically classified as Prunus armeniaca, members of the rose family alongside plums, peaches, cherries, and almonds. Their name reflects their historical ties to Armenia, where the Greeks believed apricots originated. Known for their wide variety, apricots are pivotal in creating hybrids like pluots, apriums, and plumcots. Their nutritional profile includes vitamin A, C, beta-carotenes, potassium, and calcium, benefiting vision, skin, immunity, and bone health.