Origin
Originally from Asia, the apricot has been used in China for 2000 years but apricot stones dating back 6000 years have also been found in Armenia. Appearing in Europe in the Middle Ages, it wasn’t until years latter that several varieties began to be cultivated. Its name comes from the word “precocious” in Arabic.
Did you know?
The apricot was brought to Europe by Alexander the Great. In the middle of the 15th century, it was imported to France from Italy but was not met with great success. It wasn’t until 300 years later that apricot cultivation really began to take off.
Characteristics
The apricot tree is a fruit tree that can grow as tall as 6 metres in height. It has a brown-black trunk and strong vegetation. The white, slightly rose-coloured flowers begin to bloom first. Then, the green leaves start to grow. And finally, the fruit emerges The apricot has a fuzzy orange-coloured skin, often with a red blush. Inside, its pulp is very fleshy, sweet and juicy.
Flowering and harvesting
The fruit tree is usually grown in the Mediterranean region. In France, the main producing regions are the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitania. It doesn’t withstand humidity well which gradually causes its branches to wither. This is why it needs warm and healthy soil to ensure a good harvest. When spring arrives, the flowers of the apricot tree begin to bloom, hence their sensitivity to frost. The harvesting of the fruit doesn’t take place until May. The fruit, its flesh, the leaves and the oil extracted from the stone are used in phytotherapy.
Benefits
The apricot is made up of over 85% water, it is rich in minerals, potassium, fibre, as well as carbohydrates, iron, calcium, flavonoids, beta-carotene, and vitamins A and C.
Eating an apricot:
- Aids digestion
The fibre contained in the apricot aids digestion by regulating and increasing intestinal transit. It can also play a laxative role.
- Helps eliminate toxins
The large percentage of water present in the apricot helps to detoxify the body by helping the body to eliminate toxins that have built up on a daily basis.
- Prevents cellular ageing
The beta-carotene present in the apricot transforms into vitamin A in the human body. It has antioxidant benefits as it helps to prevent cellular ageing caused by free radicals.
https://ciqual.anses.fr/#/aliments/13000/abricot-denoyaute-cru