Dried fruit for beauty, health and longevity. Dried apricot - what are the types called, benefits and harms Dried apricot what is called

Today we will tell you about what dried fruits such as apricots and dried apricots are. The difference between these products will also be described in this article. In addition, from it you will learn why they are useful and how they are produced.

general information

Apricot is the fruit of the tree of the same name, which belongs to the plum genus and the rose family. This fruit is very juicy. It is a single-drupe fruit that has a yellowish-red color. The shape of the apricot is round, elliptical or obovate. It has a longitudinal groove in the middle.

The stone of this fruit is thick-walled, rough or smooth. The skin of the apricot is velvety-pubescent and has a yellowish-orange color. As a rule, there is almost always a one-sided reddish tan on one side of this fruit.

In cultivated varieties, the fruit pulp is very juicy and sweet. As for wild apricots, they are coarser-fibered and have a bitter taste. Most often, the fruits ripen in June-August. At this time of year, the price of apricots is significantly lower than in other months.

What is made from apricots?

Dried apricots - all these products have a direct connection. After all, these dried fruits are made from apricot fruits. In addition, juicy and fresh fruits are very often used to make delicious jams, preserves and preserves. Apricots are also well suited for canning in syrup and creating juice with pulp.

Apricots and dried apricots: the difference

Both apricots and dried apricots are dried apricots. They can be easily found in a store or market. As a rule, such ingredients are used for making compotes, baked goods, apricot vodka, jam, and also for regular consumption. But not everyone knows the difference between apricots and dried apricots. Their difference lies in the drying method. As we found out above, both dried fruits presented are made from fresh apricots. However, for the production of dried apricots, the fruits are used without seeds, and for apricots - with seeds.

How are dried apricots made?

Dried apricots are dried apricots without seeds. To produce it, you need to take ripe ones and then wash them thoroughly. Next, you need to make a small cut in the middle of the apricot and carefully remove the pit.

In order for the fruit to be preserved even after drying, the processed fruit should be placed in water to which citric acid has been added. After a few minutes, the apricot needs to be removed and dried. It is recommended to do this in the oven or under the sun.

Of course, the production method of drying apricots differs significantly from the home method. That is why, after purchasing dried apricots in the store, you should rinse them thoroughly, since entrepreneurs very often add various chemicals to them to make them look beautiful.

How are apricots made?

Now you know that dried pitted apricots are called dried apricots. It should be noted that this particular product is most popular among consumers. As for apricots, most often they buy them only for making compotes. Thanks to the presence of a seed, this product makes the homemade drink especially tasty and rich. However, it is practically not used for preparing other desserts. What is this connected with? The fact is that dried apricots have practically no pulp. In this regard, it is quite problematic to use it for preparing various desserts or for regular consumption. However, such a product still has advantages. Its price is significantly lower than the cost of dried apricots.

How are apricots made? To prepare it, small and not very fleshy apricots are used. They are washed thoroughly and then dried in special dryers, an oven or in the sun. The cooking time for apricots is much longer than for dried apricots. After all, a product with a pit takes much longer to dry. By the way, during mass production, chemicals are much less often added to apricots. Therefore, its appearance after drying leaves much to be desired. Although it is precisely this fact that makes it more useful and nutritious.

The benefits of dried apricots

Are apricots and dried apricots, the differences between which we discussed above, beneficial for the body? Of course. Dried apricots are a good food for heart patients. After all, it contains a lot of potassium salts, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Moreover, the presence of this element helps to increase hemoglobin levels and regulate blood pressure.

It is advisable to consume dried apricots during anemia, pregnancy and anemia. It should also be noted that dried apricot can have a mild laxative effect, normalizing its peristalsis. It is impossible not to say that the carotene contained in dried apricots is extremely necessary for a person to maintain good condition of the visual organs.

The benefits of apricots

If you have circulatory problems and anemia, apricots should definitely be included in your diet. It contains magnesium salts, which makes it an excellent remedy for hypertension. It should also be noted that in those regions where this product is present in the diet all year round, residents very rarely experience fractures. After all, apricots strengthen bone tissue, and also promote hair growth and skin beauty.

Experts have proven that consuming this dried fruit prevents the development of For this, a person only needs to consume 100 g of apricots per day.

Like dried apricots, this product has a diuretic effect. A decoction of it quickly relieves swelling.

Let's sum it up

Now you know the difference between apricots and dried apricots. The two named products are equally beneficial for the human body. It should be said that in Central Asia, local residents consider these dried fruits to be gifts from Allah. Poems and fairy tales have even been written about their healing properties and benefits.

But in order for such products to truly have a beneficial effect on the body, they must be chosen correctly. Experts do not recommend chasing glossy and beautiful dried fruits. The worse a product looks, the more likely it is that it contains no chemicals.

Dried fruits contain a lot of valuable minerals, vitamins, organic acids, and dietary fiber. In winter, such a dish will strengthen the immune system in the best possible way. One of the most common types of dried fruits is dried apricots - dried apricots. The product is added to baked goods and consumed as an independent snack. Many people are interested in what benefits and harms the orange fruit can bring? Let's talk about everything in order.

What is dried apricots

Dried apricots are dried apricots. The product is considered the most nutritious among its fellows. To prepare 150 gr. dried apricots, you need to take 500 g. fresh raw materials.
Previously, dried apricots took a long time to cook. First, the apricots were sorted, cut, and pitted. Then they were left to dry in the heat, covered with a cloth to protect them from insects.

Today, dried fruits are produced using special technology using chemical components. To make dried apricots a bright orange with a pleasant shine, you need to add sulfur dioxide to the soaking mixture.

To reduce the duration of drying, ovens and ovens are used. As mentioned earlier, to make 150 gr. dried raw materials require 0.5 kg. moderately ripe apricots.

The following types of dried fruits are distinguished:

Dried apricots are cut into 2 parts, the seeds are removed and dried.
Kaisa - seeds are extracted from whole fruits using a special device, then dried in the sun.
Apricot - apricot is washed, prepared, dried along with the pit.

Dried fruits, in particular dried apricots, are used everywhere. Most often it is used in folk medicine, diets, and culinary purposes.

Calorie content, composition, nutritional value

Dried apricots belong to the category of dried fruits; most of it is water. For 100 gr. product is 70 grams. liquids. The next leading position is occupied by carbohydrates - about 25.2 g. per 100 gr. dried apricots.
Dietary fiber, in particular fiber, is allocated about 4 grams. This amount is 1/5 of the daily requirement, which is necessary for an adult. Dried apricots contain protein (1.2 g), ash (1 g), and fats (0.16 g).
During drying, apricot loses some valuable elements, most often vitamins. However, the “strongest” remain and benefit the human body.
Among the “persistent” vitamins there is retinol, or vitamin A. B 100 g. dried apricots about 108.68 mg. of this substance. Some may think that this amount is not enough. But it takes up 13% of the permissible daily intake for an adult.
Also, during the drying process, B vitamins are preserved. This section includes a whole “bouquet” of irreplaceable compounds. So, pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is given 0.14 mg. per 100 gr. (6% DV). Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is contained in an amount of 0.2 mg.
Dried apricots are also rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamine (vitamin B1), nicotinic acid (vitamin PP, niacin), ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
The value of dried apricots is due to the accumulation of micro- and macroelements. For 100 gr. dried dessert requires 444 mg. potassium - daily requirement. The dried fruit is rich in calcium, 15 mg, magnesium (16 mg), phosphorus (39 mg).
Dried apricots include copper (0.15 mg), which is 15% of the permissible daily value. Iron in dried fruit is 1.6 mg. (9% of the norm), manganese is allocated 0.1 mg, zinc - 0.25 mg.
A fairly large number of organic acids allows us to saturate the human body with essential compounds. As for amino acids, dried fruit contains them in abundance (isoleucine, tryptophan, threonine, lysine). In total, dried apricots contain 12 amino acids, including 7 essential ones.
Do not forget about fructose, sucrose, glucose, they account for 80% of the total volume of fruits. With such extensive indicators, the calorie content of dried apricots is considered low - 242 Kcal. per 100 gr. To provide the body with the necessary minerals, acids, vitamins, it is enough to eat 5 pieces. per day.

Dried fruits have diuretic properties. For this reason, practicing doctors prescribe people with kidney diseases to take a decoction based on dried apricots. The composition removes sand and small stones from the cavity of the internal organ, and also prevents their further deposition.
The product is used when creating menus for obese patients. Dried apricots are often consumed when following a diet, despite the added saccharides and calorie content. In this case, the daily norm is limited to 25 grams. As a result, old waste and bad cholesterol are eliminated.
Dried apricots partially thin the blood and prevent blood clots. It is useful to eat dried fruit for people with varicose veins. Incoming pectin removes heavy metals and radionuclides, dietary fiber accelerates metabolic processes.
To improve digestion, you need to eat half a meal per day. Dried fruits contain 9 times more fiber than fresh apricots. The element controls the activity of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
Dried apricots contain many vitamins that increase the body's protective functions during vitamin deficiency. Dried fruits are useful for adults and children to consume to avoid infection with helminths.
The product reduces fever and helps to recover after a serious illness or surgery. Dried apricots relieve headaches and fight frequent migraines, eliminate symptoms of colds and flu.
Incoming carotenoids have a beneficial effect on human vision. The elements prevent the development of cataracts, lubricate the eyeball and strengthen the muscles. This property is extremely valued by people with low vision.
Dried apricots increase physical endurance, which is why dried apricots are often used in the preparation of diets for athletes. In addition, dried fruit fills voids in bones, promotes rapid muscle mass gain, and improves mood and morale.
The fruits affect mental activity, so dried apricots are useful for people who work hard with their heads. Also, dried fruits of this type are included in the menu of schoolchildren and students to increase perception, memory, and concentration.
Decoctions with dried apricots remove excess liquid, thereby fighting swelling. This property is valued by people with varicose veins and pregnant girls who experience heaviness in their legs.
Dried apricots promote rapid absorption of antibiotics into the blood. If you are taking a course of medications, include dried fruit in your diet. You need to consume at least 20 grams. daily.
Dried apricots should be given to children in winter and spring. It is at these times of year that there is a deficiency of vitamins. Dried apricots will more than make up for everything and strengthen the immune system.
This type of dried fruit has the ability to lower blood pressure. For this reason, dried apricots are consumed by hypertensive patients. Hypotonic patients should be careful; the maximum daily amount should not exceed 10 grams.

Acceptable daily allowance

It should be remembered that dried apricots are highly concentrated products. It contains 2.5 times more sugar than fresh fruits. Also, if the apricot contains only 2 grams. dietary fiber, then in dried fruit this amount increases to 18 grams. The difference is significant.

An adult who has no contraindications for use should not eat more than 70 grams. dried fruits daily.

At the same time, dried apricots are added to baked goods, hot and cold appetizers, salads, meat dishes, and side dishes. Dried fruits are often used to make fruit drinks and compotes, jellies, smoothies, etc.

Since the figure is 242 Kcal. per 100 gr. involves some restrictions; dieters should not consume more than 4-5 pieces. per day.

For full development, a child needs a complex of vitamins with mineral compounds, organic acids, and dietary fiber. Dried apricots include all of the listed substances.
Incoming compounds are responsible for the transformation of carbohydrates into energy, as a result of which the child is energized. Calcium forms bone and muscle tissue, magnesium supports the functioning of the heart and brain, iron increases blood circulation.
Children of school, preschool age and students work a lot mentally. To improve thought processes and relieve nervous tension, you need to eat 10-15 grams of dried apricots daily.
Starting from six months, you can gradually introduce dried fruits into your baby’s diet. Start cooking low-concentrated compotes without sugar, then give your child 5 ml.

The benefits of dried apricots for women

Dried apricots are responsible for normalizing hormonal levels in girls and women. If you eat dried fruit during menstruation, muscle spasms will disappear and hemoglobin levels will be restored.
Women during menopause need to consume dried apricots to reduce the number of hot flashes and their severity, as well as normalize the psycho-emotional background.
Dried apricots have mild laxative properties, so they are often used for weight loss. Systematic consumption will cleanse the intestines and prevent slagging.
A large concentration of “beauty vitamins” of group A and E is responsible for the health of hair, nails and skin. Dried apricots even out complexion, fight wrinkles and skin pigmentation, eliminate hair loss and dandruff.
Tocopherol (vitamin E) is considered a natural antioxidant. It has preventive properties against the formation of malignant tumors, and also blocks blood access to existing cancer cells.

The benefits of dried apricots for men

Dried apricots are a complete source of fiber. Dietary fiber takes responsibility for the activity of the intestinal tract. This has a beneficial effect on blood circulation in the pelvic organs.
Dried fruit is useful for men to prevent prostate diseases. Dosed consumption (about 40 grams per day) increases reproductive function and potency.
Dried apricots stimulate testicular activity, increasing the quality and quantity of sperm. As a result, hormonal levels are normalized.
Men are more likely than women to suffer from diseases of the heart and vascular systems. Dried apricots prevent possible diseases, reducing the risk of their development to a minimum.
The benefits for the stronger sex are due to increased physical endurance. Therefore, dried fruits should be eaten by people who work a lot with their hands and play sports.

In the later stages of gestation, a woman often experiences an increase in blood pressure, and dried apricots reduce the levels.
Regular consumption of a decoction with the addition of dried apricots relieves swelling of internal organs, limbs and face.
Most often, women's doctors prohibit taking foods with sugar during pregnancy. But dried apricots are not included in this list.
Dried fruits stabilize the activity of the thyroid gland and the entire endocrine system, control heart rate.
Pregnant women suffer from constipation; dried apricots affect intestinal motility and have a mild laxative effect.

Harm of dried apricots

Abuse of the product can lead to disruption of the digestive tract. Diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain will appear.
Dried apricots are contraindicated for people with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, allergies to the product, and bronchial asthma.
Diabetics are not prohibited from eating dried fruits, but the amount should be measured. You can consume 2-3 pcs per week. dried apricots.

Dried apricots will not cause harm to the human body if you use the product wisely and take into account contraindications. Add dried apricots to your usual dishes or use as a snack. Follow the daily norm and introduce dried fruits into your children’s diet.

Video: what are the benefits of dried apricots?

Apricots are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, so they should be present in everyone's diet all year round. They slow down the aging process, help avoid many diseases, and have a positive effect on the skin, metabolism, circulatory system and brain. During the season, the fruit should be eaten fresh, out of season - dried.

The difference between dried apricots and apricots is that a naturally dried apricot with a pit is an apricot. Dried fruit obtained from apricot after removing its pit - dried apricots.

Composition and beneficial properties

The antioxidants and vitamins contained in dried apricots help support the body's immunity. The most valuable of them:

1. Beta-carotene. It has the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, slows down the aging process, supports the normal functioning of the immune system, and prevents skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.
2. Vitamin C. Necessary for the production and maintenance of collagen in the skin, helps in the fight against colds, protects against atherosclerosis, supports the cardiovascular system and helps protect the body from malignant changes.
3. Vitamin E. They call it the “vitamin of youth” because it plays an important role in inhibiting the aging process, has a beneficial effect on the appearance of the skin, strengthens the cardiovascular system, prevents the oxidation of LDL lipoproteins, and reduces the concentration of this fraction of cholesterol in the blood.
4. B vitamins. Dried apricot contains 3 times more vitamin B2 than peaches, therefore it is necessary for the restoration of the body, especially after illness.

The process of drying apricots allows you to preserve the beneficial properties of the product, and often even increase the concentration of nutrients in it. 100 g of this dried fruit supplies the body with 5 times more beta-carotene (7842 mcg) and vitamin C (31.7 mg) than its fresh fruit. Much more phosphorus (127 mg), calcium (139 mg), magnesium (42 mg), potassium (1666 mg) and dietary fiber (10 g).

The fiber contained in dried apricots can improve the functioning of the digestive system and regulate lipid metabolism. Dried fruits help maintain normal blood glucose levels, thereby normalizing insulin secretion in the pancreas.

They contain a large amount of potassium, which maintains the acid-base balance of the body. Potassium is necessary for proper muscle control and is involved in the formation of nerve impulses. It stimulates the work of the heart muscle and normalizes blood pressure. Accelerates the removal of excess water from the body, reducing swelling. Magnesium contained in fruits is responsible for healthy bones, teeth, proper muscle contractility and the conductivity of nerve tissue. Eating a few dried apricots a day is enough to support bone health. Therefore, this product is beneficial for women and men struggling with osteoporosis.

The product helps cleanse the channels of the sebaceous glands of the skin, so dried apricots should be in the daily diet of people with acne.

Fresh apricots contain a small amount of calories - 100 g of fruit contains 47 kcal. Recommended for people watching their weight. For diabetes and obesity, consumption of dried apricots should not be excessive, as they are much higher in calories than fresh fruits. Their calorie content per 100 g is 284 kcal.

What is the difference between dried apricots and apricots?

In the east, apricots are used more often than dried apricots. It is a component of real pilaf, giving it an exquisite taste and aroma. The drink made from apricots is very tasty and aromatic.

It is considered a more useful product, since when it is obtained, the fruit remains intact without removing its “heart” (seed). The process of making apricots sometimes does not require any effort. Ripe fruits do not need to be picked from trees, then the sun and wind will dry them to the desired state. The second way to obtain apricots is to harvest and lay out the fruit in a shady, dry place. This way the fruits undergo a natural fermentation process.

The industry uses special methods to speed up the fermentation process. Apricots are often treated with special chemicals before drying so that they do not lose their rich orange color. When making apricots at home, the fruits are fumigated. Therefore, apricots do not have such an attractive appearance as dried apricots, but they have excellent taste.

So, the difference between dried apricots and apricots:

absence of a bone;
rich orange color (apricots have a brown tint);
production method (dried apricots are rarely obtained by drying under natural conditions).

Benefits for women during pregnancy

During pregnancy, dried apricot is an important product in a woman's diet. He:

copes with high blood pressure, which often appears in late pregnancy;
A decoction of dried fruit eliminates swelling well;
normalizes heart function;
helps to avoid kidney and thyroid diseases;
treats iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women;
removes heavy metals, waste, and toxins from the body.

Dried apricot is also a mild laxative. Therefore, it is used instead of medications for constipation in pregnant women. Dried apricot brings great benefits when consumed along with cereals. It is an excellent addition to oatmeal. It is better to soak dried fruit in warm water a few hours before adding it to dishes.

Apricots are dried apricot fruits containing the pit. Unlike other dried fruits, it is collected ready-made from the branches of the tree. Drying occurs naturally under the influence of sun and wind. As a result, the fruit retains the maximum amount of vitamins and other nutrients.

Types of dried fruits from apricots

Uryuk is not the only dried fruit that is obtained from apricots. Dried apricots and kaisa are also its varieties. How are they different? Let's find out in more detail what kaisa, apricots and dried apricots are, what they look like, and what fruits they are made from.

So, there are three types of dried apricots:

dried apricots;
dried apricots;
kaisa.

Dried apricots are dried apricot halves. Depending on the method of production, it can be either bright yellow or dark orange or brownish. Fruits with a pale color have the greatest benefits. It is evidence that no chemicals were used in the production of dried fruits. This is what natural dried apricots look like:

Dried apricots are dried on an industrial scale using a special chamber or on racks in the open sun.
Uryuk is a dried apricot with a pit. It is obtained from small fruits dried directly on the branches of a tree. It is then sorted and sent for sale. They are not subjected to any further processing and are immediately ready to eat.

The absence of any chemical or thermal treatment of the fruit ensures maximum preservation of useful substances in it. At the same time, it has a fairly long shelf life, since the integrity of its skin is not compromised.

Sometimes you may find seedless apricots on sale. However, despite its similarities, it is actually a completely different type of dried fruit called kaisa. The technology for harvesting it is very similar to obtaining dried apricots, with one small exception - the fruit is not cut before drying, but the seed is squeezed out of it.

Apricots and dried apricots, unlike kaisa, are often found on sale, so everyone more or less knows what they look like. What is kaisa?

This dried fruit is very similar to dried apricots, so they are often confused, but upon closer examination the difference becomes obvious. The kaisa has a hole inside that remains after the seed is extracted. Dried apricots are only half of the fruit and do not have such a cavity.

Interesting fact! It is believed that the birthplace of apricot is Armenia. It is not for nothing that the old botanical name of this fruit sounds like “Armenian Apple”.

The benefits of apricots

The indigenous people of Central Asia call apricots a divine gift. Women know it as the fruit of beauty. And in Tajikistan they even make an elixir of longevity from it. Why is he so famous? Its chemical composition will help us find out why Asians value apricots so much, what are the benefits and harms of this dried fruit.

Composition of apricots

Uruk has a chemical composition very rich in useful substances. It contains:

vitamins – C, A, PP, E, B, beta-carotene;
macroelements – phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium;
microelements – iron;
essential and essential amino acids – arginine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, glycine, serine, alanine;
sugars – fructose, glucose, sucrose;
saturated and unsaturated fatty acids;
proteins;
fats;
carbohydrates.

Among vitamins, apricots are especially rich in tocopherol. Its content often reaches 6 mg per 100 g of product weight. There is also a lot of ascorbic acid - about 4 mg. B vitamins are represented mainly by thiamine and riboflavin.
Of the minerals, potassium is especially noteworthy. Uryuk is a record holder for its content - as much as 1800 mg per 100 g of dried fruit. There are also macroelements necessary for human health such as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. It contains only 3.2 mg of iron, however, this amount is quite enough to cover a quarter of the daily requirement.

As for nutritional value, apricots will give a few points of advantage to many other types of dried fruits. 100 g of product contains 242 kcal. However, this does not mean that overweight people cannot eat apricots. The high calorie content of this dried fruit does not prevent them from losing weight with its help. The thing is that the lion's share of calories comes from carbohydrates, which are quickly absorbed in the human body, causing a feeling of fullness. At the same time, they are not stored as excess fat, but are broken down, releasing a large amount of energy. This feature allows even diabetics to eat apricots, of course within reasonable limits and after prior consultation with a doctor.

Therapeutic effect

Due to its rich chemical composition, apricots have the following beneficial properties:

diuretic
restorative
laxative
expectorant
hypotonic
antioxidant
antitumor
tonic
vitaminizing.

For overweight people, it will be useful information to know that apricots speed up cellular metabolism and help burn extra pounds. For headaches, it has an analgesic effect and strengthens blood vessels. For anemia – promotes the production of red blood cells, improves blood quality. Apricots also help relieve stress and stimulate digestion. It has a general rejuvenating effect on the human body, prevents the development of cancer cells, normalizes digestion, relieves swelling, and improves vision.

Advice! When purchasing, pay attention to the color of the apricot. The bright, shiny color of the dried fruit will indicate its unnaturalness. It is better to give preference to faded, dark fruits.

Application in medicine

The healing properties of apricots have not gone unnoticed by doctors. It is used in the treatment and prevention of a wide variety of diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, intestinal disorders, colds, flu, nervous diseases - this is just a short list of ailments for which it is used.

Indications

Apricots, both dry and in infusion, are useful for the following diseases:

migraine;
hypertension;
anemia;
avitaminosis;
oncology;
thrombophlebitis;
constipation;
depression;
neuroses;
vascular dystonia;
asthma;
bronchitis;
diabetes;
osteoporosis;
anemia;
intestinal disorders.

Women will also be interested to know that apricots slow down the aging process and strengthen the structure of hair and nails. For old people, it prolongs life and maintains clarity of mind. The so-called long-livers drink is made from it, which is a water infusion of dried apricots. It is believed that regular use of this elixir can extend life to 120 years.

Contraindications

Apricots have not only beneficial properties, but also contraindications. In particular, it should not be eaten by people with hypersensitivity to plant pigments. Simply put, with an allergy to brightly colored orange or red fruits. This is especially true for young children. It is also not recommended to abuse this dried fruit for the following diseases:

hypotension;
severe stage of diabetes;
individual intolerance.

You should use apricots with caution when breastfeeding, as they can cause weakening of the baby’s intestines. People prone to overeating and diarrhea should also not eat it.

Why apricots are useful, how to use them and choose them, watch this video:

All materials on the website are presented for informational purposes only. Before using any product, consultation with a doctor is MANDATORY!

Fresh apricots have a colossal range of vitamins, minerals and other useful microelements, and in dried apricots you can simply find a whole storehouse of benefits for the body. In addition to their rich chemical composition, they have a positive effect on metabolism in the body and also contribute to rapid saturation. Due to this, they are included in various diets for weight loss.

History of origin and legends

Apricot belongs to the Plum genus of the Rosaceae family.. Popularly, this tree has several other names - morel, yellow plum, zherdel, apricot, dried apricot. Apricot is called in Latin Prunus armeniaca, This name shows the involvement of this plant in Armenia. It is believed that this is where this tree first appeared.

There are numerous legends regarding the origin of this plant. One of them says that Noah himself brought the apricot onto the ark to save it from the flood, during which many varieties of fruit and other trees died. It was this tree that became the first in the Ararat Valley, and then spread throughout the world.

There is also a legend that the children of the Sun, who became bored in the sky, became apricot trees and descended to earth.

If you want to influence the preservation of bright apricot color, then You can perform the following manipulations before drying:

Fruits with seeds removed are soaked in a solution of citric acid at the rate of 8 tsp. for 1 liter of water.
After this, they are pulled out and dried, and only then laid out on sheets. Such blanks can be dried both in the shade and in the sun.

You can dry apricots in the oven or electric dryer. Then the procedure will be slightly different. Before drying, the peeled fruits are dipped in a colander for 10 seconds in boiling water with the addition of soda - 1.5 teaspoons per 1 liter of water, and then quickly dipped into ice water. After this, they are dried and laid out on a baking sheet with the open side up.

The process of drying pitted delicacies in the oven takes about 8 hours at a temperature of 50-65 degrees Celsius.

In fact, kaisa is made using the same methods, the only difficulty is removing the seeds - this is a rather labor-intensive and complex process. But if you get the hang of it, it won’t seem so difficult. Plus, the drying time approximately doubles, since kaisa has almost a double layer of pulp.

In its homeland, apricots are considered such a popular ingredient in many dishes that they are practically not even exported - this product is considered too valuable. And not in vain, because apricots retain several times more useful microelements and vitamins than dried apricots.

Culinary secrets

As for the use of dried apricots and other dried apricot fruits in cooking, first of all, these the products are used, of course, in the preparation of main courses and desserts. Dried apricots make meat very tasty - especially lamb and pork. It gives these types of meat products a spicy, sour-sweet taste, which somewhat conceals their high fat content.

There are also a lot of recipes for outlandish salads with dried apricots and kaisa. These dried fruits are also added to sweet pilafs along with raisins, dates, prunes, figs and other similar products.

Medicinal use

In folk medicine, apricots are, of course, valued most highly. However, both dried apricots and kaisa are also used to prepare medicines.

Medicines based on dried apricots can strengthen the heart muscle and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Dried apricots are also useful against constipation and for cleansing the kidneys.