| Juicy Apricots |
The fruit of the apricot is extremely tasty. Ripe apricots are soft and juicy and simply delicious on a hot summer’s day. Apricot fruits are not very large – mostly the same size as a small peach.
Apricots are especially rich in Vitamin A. They also contain a number of minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, and sulphur.
The apricot fruit contains a single seed in a hard shell.
History Apricot trees have been cultivated for thousands of years. Opinions differ on where exactly they were cultivated for the first time - some believe it was in India, while others believe it to be China. Still another theory is that apricots originated in Armenia, where it has been grown for such a long time that nobody can really say exactly when it started. The Armenians of course have the name, armeniaca to support their claim. Whatever the truth, it was very likely first cultivated somewhere in Asia at more or less 3000 BC. After that they were brought to Europe by the Roman generals, during their invasion of the continent. European settlers in turn carried the apricot seeds to all their outlying colonies, including the United States. They are now grown extensively throughout the world, wherever the climate is suitable. In America the major production area is California, although some production also takes place in Washington. America currently produces more than 90% of the world's apricots.
Uses The jam industry would most likely collapse without apricots! Apricot jam is immensely popular in most western countries.
In many countries, such as Egypt and Iran, dried apricots are considered to be a delicacy. In Egypt dried apricots are also often used to brew a very potent drink. Medicinal and other non-food uses Laetrile is an important alternative treatment for cancer, and this is extracted from apricot seeds. Ancient civilisations have used apricot seeds in the treatment of tumours. Apricot oil used to be utilised for the treatment of tumours, and ulcers during the 17 century in England. Apricots were long held to have aphrodisiac properties by Europeans and British. References to this can be found in the works of Shakespeare and John Webster. Dried apricots have a very high fibre content – that is why many people consider them to be a very effective laxative. Research have also shown that apricots contain an extremely high level of carotenoids – which are antioxidants that assist the body to prevent heart disease, reduce levels of cholesterol that contribute to heart disease, and even prevent cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine also holds apricots in high esteem. It is considered to be beneficial in helping the body expel toxins, and rejuvenate itself. Other ways to enjoy apricots Apricots are of course the ideal snack. They are delectable when eaten fresh and you don't have to feel guilty afterwards, since they are low in calories.
Dried apricots are an even better option: they are very high in fibre content, and the drying process tends to concentrate the levels of vitamins and minerals in the fruit. Here are a few ideas on how to use apricots in your dishes: - Use sliced apricots in fruit salads - Make sauces from apricot purée. You can make delicious sauces to use on meat, desserts and even pancakes this way - Replace peaches and nectarines in recipes with apricots – the sugar content is lower, while you will still have a great tasting dish - Apricots taste great in baked desserts - They form lovely, low-calorie snacks - Add them to fruit smoothies - When you go camping or hiking, dried apricots are a great tasting and convenient snack Storage Apricots don't store well, so they are best eaten while fresh. Alternatively you can of course dry them, which will enable you to store them for a longer period of time. The texture and taste will not be the same as that of fresh apricots though. Growing conditions Apricot trees are great for planting in your backyard. They grow relatively quickly and you can expect your first harvest, in three to four years. You don't have to grow apricot trees for their fruit only – the exuberant pink and white flowers are beautiful in spring, and will enhance any garden.
Although you can grow apricot trees from seeds, it is much easier to buy small trees from your local garden centre. The nursery workers will also be able to give you sound advice on soil types, nutrients, and other requirements of your new trees. Plant your apricot trees in early spring, unless you live in an area with warm winters, when autumn will also be a good time. Select trees that are at least one year old – younger trees are much more susceptible to diseases. You don't have to plant the trees near other trees – a single apricot tree will produce abundant fruit quite well on its own, but they tend to bear more fruit when planted near other trees. Apricot trees prefer a cooler climate, but they will also grow in a sub-tropical climate as long as the winters are not too hot. They need a lot of sunlight – do not plant them in the shade of other trees, or behind a building where they get little sunlight. Also make sure you leave at least 5 m between trees to give them enough space to develop properly. They need soil that is well drained – do not plant them where there roots will be flooded most of the time. Keep the area around the young tree free from weeds and grass, at least for the first year. Plant apricots in soil that is reasonably rich in nutrients, otherwise you will have to compensate by adding fertiliser. Pruning is very important if you want apricot trees bearing a lot of fruit. During the first two years you must prune them with a very light hand, otherwise the tree will take much longer to bear fruit. After that, pruning the tree in the shape of a vase is the most practical. It makes it easy to reach fruits that are ripe and ready to be picked, and it creates smooth air flow and even distribution of sunlight. You don't have to water the trees more than once a week. They get 'root rot' very easily if the roots are submerged in water for an extended period of time. Once they start to bear fruit, you can increase watering, to twice a week. The best time to apply fertiliser is at the end of winter and again when the trees start to bear fruit. The fruit bearing process takes a lot of nutrients from the trees, and fertilising will help to replace what has been taken out, and to rejuvenate the trees for next year’s growth. During the fruit bearing period you should thin out the fruits, to ensure they are not too crowded. They will develop at their best when fruits are 7 to 12 cm apart. Fertilisers and nutrients An application of nitrogen fertiliser in the early stages of spring, will greatly benefit your apricot trees. You can also repeat this midway during the fruit bearing season. A dose of manure in autumn would also be very beneficial to the trees. Pests and plagues A few common insects that attack apricot trees every year are: codling moths, fruit flies and aphids. Aphids lay their eggs around the buds, and when the buds break in spring the infestation will start. Fruit flies cause rot and general decay of the fruits. To prohibit the onset of fruit flies you can set out baits or traps, these can be purchased from your local nursery or garden centre. Coddling moths are often unnoticed until you bite into an apricot unsuspectingly, and there is half a worm inside!! The most effective way to control coddling moth is to allow chickens to scratch around under each tree, eating any pupae or insects they find. Alternatively a range of chemicals are also available from your local nursery. Prevention is better than cure: discuss the potential pests your trees might attract with the people at your local garden centre. They will be able to advise you on preventative steps, as well as what to do when your trees have already been affected by a pest. Harvesting The early varieties of apricots will become ripe in the middle of summer, but late varieties can continue ripening into the early days of autumn before their fruits are completely ripe. Apricots should be picked before they have fully ripened. Then leave them for a few days in a cool place to allow them to ripen completely. A little bit of common sense and a lot of dedication will give you an apricot orchard that will not only provide you with delicious fruit, but also a lot of beauty to enjoy. |
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