Facts about Apricots
Also recognized as Armenian plum or Prunus armeniaca botanically, the apricot is indigenous to the Asian areas of Himalaya, Armenia and China. The fruit is presently grown in a number of locations with climates that range from Mediterranean, temperate and sub-tropical.
Apricot trees are incredibly prolific: they may achieve 12-15 feet tall and produce fruit for as many as 20-25 years. The leaves are oval in shape, around 5-10 cm in both diameter and length, and having a pointy tip. The size of apricot flowers are usually measured at 3-4 cm, with light pink petals. Apricot trees yield a fruit much like a peach, having a pale yellow color that turns into deep orange upon matured, and it usually turns red in the area with the most sunlight. Apricots also have a single seed, in the middle of a tough, woody shell known as "stone".
The internal seed may be consumed and it has a flavor nearly the same as almonds, but it has little amounts of cyanide. Therefore, it should be eaten with caution as it may cause cyanide poisoning.
Health Benefits of Apricots
The fruit, kernel (interior portion of the seed), flowers and oil of the apricot are normally applied to medicine and treatment since old days.
- The kernel produces oil resembles the oil of the almond. It is popular because of their anti-spasmodic, sedative relief to stretched muscles. It can also be helpful for healing of injuries, expelling worms and also as an overall health tonic.
- The high level of iron content in apricot renders it a great food for anemia patients. The little but essential quantity of copper in the apricot makes the iron easily available to your body. Generous consumption of apricot may boost the output of hemoglobin in your body. This is good for females after their menstrual period, particularly those with large flow.
- The pectin and cellulose content in the fruit is a mild laxative and therefore are useful in the cure for constipation. The insoluble cellulose functions as roughage that assists the bowel motion. The pectin absorbs as well as retains water, thus increasing bulk to stools, helping in easy bowel movement.
- Have an apricot before taking your meal to help digestion, since it carries with it an alkaline effect in the digestive tract.
- The substantial volume of vitamin A is important to to keep good vision. Deficiency of vitamin A may lead to night blindness or impair eyesight.
- Mix a little honey and apricots together with a certain amount of mineral water, then drink to cool fever down. It quenches your thirst as well as effectively removes the waste elements from your entire body.
- Make juice out of fresh apricot leaves. Then apply on eczema, scabies, skin-itchiness or sunburn, for soothing feeling.
Dried Apricot Health Benefits
You may consume apricots raw, cooked, canned or dried. However, dried apricots contains more benefits. To make dried apricots, water in fresh apricots is removed without affecting the nutrients. And are you aware that 5 lbs of fresh apricots make only 1 lb of dried apricots? Because of this, dried apricots have a higher level of nutrients compared to other forms.
How to Choose and Buy Apricots?
- Select apricots that are plump, firm and have a deep yellow-orange or plain orange color. A red-colored tinge is also common.
- Try to find fruit that is free of imperfections, as apricots bruise very easily. Even though squishier, bruised apricots are perfect for sauces making, moisture and taste addition in baked products.
How to Store Apricots?
- Place the apricots into a closed container and put them to chill for about a week. Make sure they are ripened at the first place, as apricots are not going to ripen when refrigerated.
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