Apricots - The World's Healthiest Foods
The apricot is one of the most important fruits. It belongs to the sub acid class. It is somewhat cid in its raw state, but its acidity decreases and the sugar content increases in the process of ripening. The fruit is regarded as a nutritious and tonic food and enjoys world wide popularity. The apricot is a stone fruit and has nut within it. It is round or oblong in shape, flattened to some extent. It is similar in shape as peach, but is considerably smaller. It is yellowish in color. The fruit which ripens on the tree alone develops its true flavors which are very much like that of the peach.
How are apricots harvested?
Since apricots ripen on the tree at different times over the course of several days, the ripe fruits may be hand-picked before the others are ready. Towards the end of the harvest, remaining apricots are usually coaxed from the trees using mechanical shakers, and catchers are used to collect the falling fruit before they are transferred to bins. Damaged fruit is often removed from the batches before they are sent off to processing facilities, where the fruit is further examined, cleaned, and sorted by size and quality. For drying purposes, apricots may be pretreated with sulfur to maintain their color, flavor, and vitamin content.
The apricot belongs to the rose family, along with peaches and almonds. It is believed that the first apricots originated in India possibly as far back as 3000 BC. Alexander the Great introduced apricots to Greece from China, and the apricot crop was cultivated around the world for centuries before Spanish missionaries brought it to America in the late 1800s. Today, California accounts for over 90 percent of apricot production in the United States.
Benefits:
Apricot Oil:
Apricot oil extracted from the kernel, is one of the by products of the fruit and is known for its healing properties. It is rich in natural vitamins (especially Vitamins A and E) essential for our skin and other essential fatty acids, minerals and other nutrients. This oil is good for two reasons: first of all, it gets absorbed by skin and leaves no traces or an oily feel and it does not cause allergic reactions even on the most sensitive skin. Other benefits include soothing, moisturizing and nourishing the skin, as well as anti-inflammatory, cooling and other properties.
Since apricots ripen on the tree at different times over the course of several days, the ripe fruits may be hand-picked before the others are ready. Towards the end of the harvest, remaining apricots are usually coaxed from the trees using mechanical shakers, and catchers are used to collect the falling fruit before they are transferred to bins. Damaged fruit is often removed from the batches before they are sent off to processing facilities, where the fruit is further examined, cleaned, and sorted by size and quality. For drying purposes, apricots may be pretreated with sulfur to maintain their color, flavor, and vitamin content.
The apricot belongs to the rose family, along with peaches and almonds. It is believed that the first apricots originated in India possibly as far back as 3000 BC. Alexander the Great introduced apricots to Greece from China, and the apricot crop was cultivated around the world for centuries before Spanish missionaries brought it to America in the late 1800s. Today, California accounts for over 90 percent of apricot production in the United States.
Benefits:
Apricots contain photochemical called carotenoids, compounds that give red, orange and yellow colors to fruits and vegetables. The powerful antioxidant Lycopene is one of the carotenoids found in apricots. Relatives to peaches, apricots are small fruits, with velvety skin and flesh, not too juicy, but definitely smooth and sweet, tasting like somewhere between a peach and a plum. Apricots are versatile and can be eaten raw; cooked to make jam or tarts; added to salads or any other innovative way you would like to utilize them.
Apricot kernels can be used as a substitute for almonds, used in desserts or eaten as a snack.
Apricot kernels can be used as a substitute for almonds, used in desserts or eaten as a snack.
Apricot Oil:
Apricot oil extracted from the kernel, is one of the by products of the fruit and is known for its healing properties. It is rich in natural vitamins (especially Vitamins A and E) essential for our skin and other essential fatty acids, minerals and other nutrients. This oil is good for two reasons: first of all, it gets absorbed by skin and leaves no traces or an oily feel and it does not cause allergic reactions even on the most sensitive skin. Other benefits include soothing, moisturizing and nourishing the skin, as well as anti-inflammatory, cooling and other properties.
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