Apricot

Health Benefits:

Aids in digestion
Anti aging
Anti fungal
Anti inflammatory
Fights free radicals
Helps control LDL cholesterol levels
Helps cure dysentary
Improves bone and muscle health
Improves eyesight
Improves hair skin and nails
Increases immunity
Lowers blood pressure
May reduce anxiety
May reduce risk of cancer
May reduce risk of heart disease
May regulate heart rate
Promotes eye health
Promotes heart health
Protects skin from UV rays

Nutrition:

Serving size: 1 apricot; Calories: 17; Fat: .1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Carbs: 3.9g; Fiber: 3.3g; Sugars: 3.2g; Protein: .5g; Potassium: 2%DV; Vitamin A: 13%DV; Vitamin C: 5%DV; Calcium: 0%DV; Iron: 0%DV

Did You Know?

• Originally from China, apricots have been around for over 4,000 years (wow!). They were brought to California by the Spanish in the late 18^th century.
• Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and potassium.
• Greek mythology experts believe that apricots are the “golden apples” of Hesperides, the fruit that Hercules was ordered to pick as the eleventh of his twelve labors.
• English folklore believes that dreaming of apricots is good luck!.

Ways to Eat:

• Raw
  • In a Salad
  • As a dip
  • As an ingredient in multiple desserts
• As a jam, marmalade, syrup, and/or jelly preparation.
• In baked goods, such as muffins of even pancakes
• As a glaze
• Dried
• Distilled into liqueur

Farming Trivia:

• In the United States, apricots are grown in California, Indiana, and Washington.
  • California produces 95% of the apricots grown in the United States!
• Fresh apricots are available year-round throughout North America. From May through August, varieties mainly come from California and Washington. The rest of the year they're likely from South America.
• One apricot tree can produce fruit for as many as 25 years! When the fruit is ripe, it is hand-picked.
• To select ripe apricots, look for fruit with a rich, orange color -- not pale yellow or green -- that's a little soft to the touch. If too firm thay have not been tree ripened