Words Hattie Parish. Photographs FoodStock
Arelative of the peach, nectarine and cherry, apricots are often overlooked in favour of their more exotic cousins. Thought to have originated from Central Asia, these golden fruits have been cultivated for more than 4000 years, and are as popular raw as they are cooked. Apricot translates as ‘precious’ in Latin, as they ripen earlier than other summer fruits. However, they are extremely perishable, so more than 90 per cent sold are tinned, dried or used in preserves. But whether you use fresh or not, apricots have impressive health benefits.
At less than 50 calories per 100g, apricots make the ideal snack. They’re rich in vitamin A, essential for good eye health, and teamed with high levels of antioxidant vitamin C, help keep skin in tip-top shape. They’re also a great source of fibre, which aids digestion and helps to reduce the bad cholesterol content in the body, protecting the heart. Potassium has further heart health benefits and helps the body absorb calcium, which apricots also contain, as well as iron and magnesium – vital for blood health.