30 facts about apricots

Apricot is a really tasty fruit.

Let’s find out more about the apricots!

1. Apricot is a fruit or the tree that bears the fruit.
2. The apricot is a small tree, 8–12 meters.
3. The canopy of the tree is dense and it spreads out.
4. It belongs to the genus Prunus.
5. An apricot tree is from the species P. armeniaca.
6. Some apricots belong to other species.
7. Apricot first appeared in English in the 16th century as abrecock.
8. It is originated from the Middle French, aubercot.
9.  It is said that Alexander the Great introduced apricot to Greece.
10. It is believed that it was General Lucullus of Rome who brought the apricot to Rome from Armenia.
11. There is an Egyptian drink known as amar al-din made from apricots.
12. Typically, an apricot tree is capable of producing fruits for a period of 20 years to 25 years.
13. You should always leave the apricot at room temperature.
14. Apricots are totally free of cholesterol, sodium, and saturated fats.
15. Apricots help to remove harmful free radicals from the body.
16. This is due to Vitamin A.
17. Apricots are rich in soluble fiber.
18. The soluble fiber helps with digestion of food, prevents constipation and several gastrointestinal disorders.
19. Antioxidants in apricots also help to maintain good skin.
20. The apricot is now cultivated on every continent except Antarctica.
21. Apricots are cultivated throughout the temperate regions of the world. especially in the Mediterranean.
22. Apricots are widely eaten fresh as a dessert fruit.
23. The fruit is also widely made into jam.
24. Apricots may also be used in desserts, in juices, and for flavoring.
25. Many organic dried apricots are brown because they are sun-dried.
26. Nutritionally, apricot seeds are similar to other nut.
27. The Italian liqueur amaretto, and amaretti biscotti, is flavored with extract of apricot seeds as well as almonds.
28. Apricot seeds contain a toxic chemical known as amygdalin, which is also referred to as laetrile.
29. In Europe, apricots were used as an aphrodisiac.
30. In 2016, the top five producers of apricots were Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Algeria, and Italy.