Apricot is a fruit which is eaten more as a dry fruit rather than as a fruit. In many countries it is also eaten as a snack. This yellow-red looking stone fruit looks like peach and plum. Many people consider it a foreign fruit but it also grows in India. Apricot is also called Zardalu in some places. As tasty as it is to eat, it is equally beneficial. Eating this keeps your health healthy. 9 January To National Apricot Day Is celebrated. Let us know the story of apricot on this day.
Apricot originated in Armenia?
Apricot is related to a country named Armenia which is considered a part of Europe. Apricots are being cultivated here since ancient times. From Armenia itself it reached China and Japan. Apricot is the national fruit of Armenia which grows mostly in the plains of Ararat. This fruit grows well in dry weather. Apricot kernel is called apricot kernel. Milk is extracted from this almond-like kernel which is called plant based milk. This kernel is used in many things including sweets, cakes.
Apricot was considered bad luck
Apricots have been associated with bad omen in the US Marines since the Vietnam War (1954-1975). There was a belief that this fruit brings bad luck. It was considered very bad to eat it around the tank. Due to this superstition, the people of America had stopped eating it. But gradually this thinking changed and American astronauts took dried apricots with them to eat in Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 for the Moon missions.
In Gulf countries, apricot juice is drunk especially during Iftar during the month of Ramadan (Image-Canva)
Reached India through Silk Route
Apricot comes to the family every day. There are more than 4 thousand species in this family like apple, strawberry, cherry. Apricots have been eaten in India for about 5 thousand years. Historians believe that apricots reached India through the Silk Road but apricots grow in abundance in Ladakh. It is eaten as a fruit and dried apricot is eaten as a dry fruit.
right way to eat
Always soak apricots overnight and eat them on an empty stomach in the morning. It is okay to eat 4 apricots a day. This maintains energy in the body and provides good fat. Dry apricot is a dry fruit which reduces cholesterol.
blood loss goes away
Dietician Satnam Kaur She says that apricots contain fiber, sugar, calcium, iron, protein, vitamin C and vitamin A. Apricot is a boon for those who suffer from anemia. Eating this cures anemia and also keeps heart diseases away. People who have constipation problem are benefited by eating apricots. With this, weight also remains under control. Bones become stronger, eyesight improves and blemishes and spots are also removed from the skin. Eating this prevents wrinkles from appearing quickly.
Apricot is eaten as a medicine in China (Image-Canva)
beneficial in pregnancy
Eating dried apricots is beneficial during pregnancy. During this period the woman starts suffering from anemia. In such a situation, the iron present in apricot removes this problem. Due to this, the child in the womb also develops well. Apricots contain folic acid, potassium, calcium and magnesium which keeps the digestion process healthy and prevents bowel movements from slowing down. 2 to 3 apricots should be eaten daily during pregnancy.
Diabetes patients should stay safe
People who have diabetes should avoid eating apricots. Actually, it already contains natural sugar, which when consumed can increase blood sugar immediately. Apart from this, people who have asthma or have low blood pressure should also avoid it.
peaches and apricots separately
Most of the people get confused about peach and apricot. Actually both are similar in appearance but peach is larger in size than apricot. There is also more anus in it. Peach cannot be dried and eaten but apricot can be dried and eaten as a dry fruit. Apricot juice is also drunk. Peach is juicy to eat but sometimes hard but apricot is very soft. After plucking an apricot, an almond-like seed comes out from its kernel. Many people eat it with great taste. Sometimes bitter taste also comes out whereas nothing like this comes out from the core of the peach.
Tags: Dry Fruits, Eastern Ladakh, food, Food Stories, health, Pregnant Women
FIRST PUBLISHED: January 9, 2025, 19:35 IST
