National Apricot Day

National Apricot Day

National Apricot Day is an annual feast for the apricot lovers and is celebrated on January 9th of every year. Though there are lots of fruit varieties available in the world, some of them like the apricot are eaten all over the year. The orange velvety flesh texture of the apricot makes those who eat fall for it. It is a versatile fruit that can be eaten fresh, or canned and even dried as to consume later. So anyone can eat the apricot as fresh or can also try different recipes using this fruit. The National Apricot Day wouldn’t be complete without tasting this fleshy fruit.

“The flavours of the peach and the apricot are not lost from generation to generation. Neither are they transmitted by book learning.” – Ezra Pound

History of National Apricot Day

The history, origin, and the person who established the National Apricot Day are anonymous. It is not mentioned anywhere regarding the year from which this fruit has been celebrated. Apricot refers to the fruit or the tree bearing the fruit. The origin of the tree dates back to 4,000 years ago in China and later planted in Asia and even in Mediterranean by Persians. After some centuries the Spanish brought the apricots to the New World. At present, the apricots are grown in San Joaquin Valley in California’s and that make 95% of apricots grown in the U.S.

The word Apricot has got a Latin origin which means “precious.” Apricots will ripen earlier than most of the summer fruits, and hence the name could be explained by this fact. One easiest way to serve the apricots is by eating them fresh as it is rich in Vitamins A, B-6, C, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Fibre and Potassium. The apricots after-ripen are good for the eyes and skin. An ounce of the apricots will contain about twenty percent of a daily dose of beta-carotene. Apricots can be used both as sweet and savoury dishes as with its unique flavour.

How to Celebrate National Apricot Day

The best way to celebrate the National Apricot Day is to fill up your mouth with some fresh apricots. Even after summer, you could eat the dried apricots. You can refer to different varieties of dishes in which the apricots are used. Try them at your home and serve them for your family. Organise an apricot-themed party, invite family and friends to come dresses up in orange colour for the party to celebrate the apricots. Have some fresh apricots as a refreshing snack or have some dried apricots as a topping on the ice cream to complete this Day. Share your Apricot Day celebrations and photos on the social media using the hashtag #ApricotDay.