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Apricots (as well as peaches, cherries, plums, and almonds) are
members of the rose family. The apricot (P. armeniaca) is an important fruit crop believed
to have originated in China and to have been brought to Italy about 100BC, reaching
England in the 13th century and in the late19th century, the first apricot trees were
brought to the New World by Franciscan friars, and 90% of the world's production now takes
place in the United States, 90% of that being in California.
The fruit is smaller than a peach, colored orange-yellow when ripe, and with a drier
flesh. Its food value ranks higher than most common fruits, particularly in vitamin A as
well as proteins and carbohydrates. Apricots are loaded with flavinoids and
phytochemicals, fiber, potassium, iron, magnesium, and copper. Cooking does not
destroy the value of the apricot and canned apricots can be kept in a container in your
refrigerator for a highly desirable snack.
Fresh apricots are considered a delicacy, because they are so fragile, they don't ship
well. In fact, apricots are almost always harvested unripe to help them withstand the
impact of shipping and handling. So, sadly, the exquisite experience of eating a fresh,
tree-ripened specimen is a very rare treat. A vast majority of the crop is dried.
Apricots have been sun-dried since ancient times. It takes 6 pounds of fresh fruit to
yield just one pound of dried. In the drying process, the apricots lose only water,
and the nutrients (mostly minerals) become concentrated.
Buy fresh apricots that are neither too firm nor too soft. Avoid fruit that is spotted,
cracked, or blemished. Assuming they are not tree-ripened (and, as mentioned above, most
commercially available apricots are not) store fresh apricots at room temperature, out of
direct sunlight, and they will ripen. Thereafter, they will keep for about a week in the
refrigerator.
Apricots freeze well. Cut them in half, remove the pits, then store them in a sealed
plastic freezer bag for up to several months.
A serving of 3/4 cup makes an excellent breakfast fruit. Apricots can be cut and added to
cereal. Children love apricots and babies love strained apricots. Possibly no one fruit is
as vitamin laden as the apricot.
For pack sizes information, follow this link: http://www.califapricot.com/marking_regulations.html#chart
Two good all around link to apricots: http://www.califapricot.com/
or http://www.apricotproducers.com/
For some great apricot recipes follow this link: http://www.califapricot.com/recipes.html
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