How many fruits are truly good year-round? Most fruits are seasonal, and even if they can be grown year around and shipped to many places, there are seasons when fruits just doesn’t taste how it should! One of the best things about some fruits is that they can be dried. Some fruits are as good dried, and are better eaten fresh. With others, the opposite is true. Luckily, there are types of fruit that are amazing both ways! Apricots are one of those! The humble apricot is only available fresh for a short time, which makes it a prime candidate for drying! Are you interested in knowing more? Read below for apricot wall art facts.
Origins, Health, Fiber, Vitamins
- All food has an origin, but apricots are actually one of the most mysterious fruits on the planet! Apricots have been consumed for so long around the world, that the where, when and why of their domestication are facts that have been lost to time! They have the scientific name “Prunus Armeniac” which links them to Armenia and its surrounding regions! They are actually the national fruit of Armenia to this day. They were also an important crop in ancient Persia (now Iran). Some scholars believe that apricots may have originated in China or India!
- Did you know that apricots are a highly recommended health food! Dried apricots especially have been noted for their health benefits! Did you know that dried apricots contain more antioxidants, fiber, and minerals than the raw originals? Consume dried apricots for a healthy does of Vitamin A and C!
- Continuing from the last fact, apricots are a great source of fiber which can help to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and weight gain. Three whole dried apricots contain 5 grams of fiber, which is around 20% of the recommended daily intake!
- Vitamin A is absolutely paramount for maintaining the structure and function of both skin and mucous membranes. Apricots contain Vitamin A in the form of something called carotene. It’s a chemical that also makes fruit and vegetables the color orange. Beta carotene’s retinol, which is another form of Vitamin A, protects the eyes and skin from age-related damage.
- Vitamin C, another important element in diets, is special because it can’t be stored inside of the human body. People must consume Vitamin C every day in order to replenish our stores of the nutrient. Vitamin C helps to protect cells and creates collagen, which keeps our skin elastic and bouncy to the touch. It also helps with the absorption of iron into the body. Read below for more apricot wall art facts.
Minerals, Love, Oil, Farms
- As previously stated, apricots contain many healthy vitamins and minerals. Notable amounts of potassium have been identified in apricots. Potassium is important because it controls the balance of fluids within the body, and also regulates the proper functioning of both the heart and the brain. It also helps to regulate blood pressure. The recommended intake of potassium is 3,500mg per day; four dried apricots can supply you with a fifth of this amount. Apricots will also supply you with zinc, calcium, iron and manganese.
- Apricots have a long history, so it’s only natural that they be symbolic. In the 16th century, apricots were thought to have aphrodisiac qualities. Even Shakespeare referenced this thought in his plays! In “A Midsummer Nights Dream” the character Titania to feed the man she was in love with apricots so that he might fall in love with her! How interesting!
- Like many other fruits and vegetables, the oil of apricots is very useful. Apricot oil is extract from the seed of the fruit and is incorporated in many cosmetics, massage oils and cleaning supplies. This oil consists of unsaturated fats like oleic and linoleic acid; these have been noted as working like moisturizers. They’re also helpful with reducing inflammation!
- Wondering where the biggest single apricot farm is located! Surprisingly, it’s in Britain. In Kent, on the Isle of Wight, there is a farm that has over 5,000 apricot trees. That said, Britain is not the best place to grow apricots. Due to the cold climate throughout the year, fruit often blooms much later than hotter climates. This means crops are relegated to later in the year than other apricot yields around the world.
- Wondering who produces the biggest amount of apricots? Turkey is the world’s biggest producer of the fruit, harvest over three quarters of a million tons every single year. The second top producer is Iran, with under half a million tons. Third is Uzbekistan. Due to the popularity of the fruit, around 40 nations on the planet produce more than 10,000 tons yearly! Thanks for reading these apricot wall art facts!
Conclusion
Want some ideas for what to do with apricots? If you’re eating them fresh, you can cut them in salads sprinkled with slivers of almond, chicken, spinach and grilled onion. If you own a grill, try slicing some apricots, oiling them, then grilling them. You can eat them straight off the grill, or pair them with vanilla ice cream! A strange combination that works surprisingly well! Dried apricots work well with sweets like cookies and certain types of scones and cakes. An interesting ideas is cooking them in brown rice or couscous! Another idea; why not try making your own trail mix! We hope you enjoyed reading these apricot wall art facts!