Apricot

Dried apricots

The amount of sugar contained in a dried apricot is the same as in a fresh apricot, but the sugar is more concentrated . Dehydration concentrated sugar content, but also in various nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. This makes an interesting dried apricot nutritious food side.

From the Mediterranean to California. In countries around the Mediterranean, it grows and consumes the apricot for thousands of years. These are the Spanish missionaries who introduced in California, where it is now in a large-scale cultivation.

Rather weak . Unfortunately, apricots are relatively fragile and suffer from being transported over long distances. What makes the best varieties are rarely fresh outside their area of production. But there is the dried apricot year market.

Apricot in figures

In fresh apricots, 3 means fruits (105 g)
50	Calories
11.7 g	Carbohydrates
0.4 g	Fat
2.1 g	Dietary fiber

Source: Health Canada. CNF on nutrients , 2010.

Tips :
- Choose. The apricot should be yellow or orange, soft to the touch, fragrant and smooth skin, signs of maturity. Avoid green fruit, as they will not ripen.

- Keep. Apricots are usually ready to eat at the time of purchase and do not keep more than 2 or 3 days at room temperature. If necessary, you can ripen apricots putting them in a paper bag at room temperature for 1 day or 2. The refrigerator can keep one week in a perforated plastic bag, but it changes their texture and flavor. Get them some time before serving.

- Attention to sulfites. Sulphites are often added to dried apricots and products containing apricots for their conservation. However, these products cause allergic reactions in some people. Prefer dried apricots without sulfites.

Express ideas recipes 
- Sweet dishes. Apricot suits many sweet dishes: pancakes, rice pudding, cakes, pies, muffins, etc.. Particularly rich in pectin, it can make excellent jams.

- And savory dishes. Apricot also has its place in savory dishes. To stuff the chicken, for example: dried apricots, chopped nuts, pecans , onion , wild rice cooked with herbs.

Health benefits
- Featured nutrients : vitamin A , iron , copper.
- Athletes appreciate the energy that brings them apricot.