National Apricot Day 2025

2025-01-09

I recall the apricots of Blackfoot Idaho when I was a child. There were orchards with trees of them. There were all kinds of other fruits as well, apples in particular. I used to consume them with great relish. They are of the rose family of plants and are known as "drupes" because they are a fleshy fruit like the peach, plum, or cherry and have a single hard stone encasing their seed.

Over the ensuing years I have eaten fewer apricots but I still enjoy them when I do indulge. They are said to provide quality nutrition with a low calorie count. They are a rich source of potassium and hydration. They are also a good source for beta carotene.

I find the eye health afforded by this carotenoid is significant. They contain high amounts of various other antioxidents as well. They are also said to improve the quality of the skin and alimentary canal including the liver.

Today is National Apricot Day. This occurs each January 9 annually. I think the primary purpose of the day is to separate the apricot from the peach. The fruit dates back to two thousand years before Christ and were first produced as cultivars in China and central Asia and were distributed along the Great Silk Road to the Persians who took them and ran with them.

Anyway, you can do a lot worse than apricots in your diet. I attempt to consume them more often these days.

Happy National Apricot Day.