FARMS: APRICOT FRUIT

Good morning everyone, here is another fruit I want to talk about and it is called Apricot. It sounds nice right? Yea,fruits are good and improves our immune system. Let me take you down to know about apricot as a fruit.

WHAT IS AN APRICOT?
This is a fruit whose tree are of different species in the genus prunus. The tree has 8-12m (26-39ft) tall, alongside with a trunk up to 40cm(16inches) in diameter and a dense spreading canopy. The flesh of the fruit is usually firm and not that juicy,its taste goes from sweet to tart.

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Apricot are produced in 2014 with 3.4 million tonnes and Uzbekistan led the fruit with 16% of the world total. There are other top producers of this fruit which are Turkey,Iran and Italy. Apricot was known in Arimenia during ancient time and its origin was disputed by many people. Apricot scientific name is called Prunus armeniaca. There are sources that says apricot was first cultivated in India and that was in 3000BC. Also Egyptians do dry apricot,they add sweetener to it thereby using it for drink that is called amar al-din. For the fruit to mature well,it need a dry climate for it.

Apricot are so sensitive to different diseases and their importance is different in the production regions as a result of their climatic differences. These fruit are not affected by leaf curls,also they are not threatened by silver leaf,that is why their pruning in late winter is considered safe.

There are some apricots that resembles miniature peaches but their taste is different from that of peaches. When both fruit are ripe and fresh,apricots taste sweet and dart while peaches are sweet in general. Apricot has a color of light yellowish-orangish pinkish. They are covered in a velvet like skin and it is smooth and soft to touch,they came to America in the Eighteenth century. Apricots are used in making pastries,jams and marmalades. Also they are used in making brandy and liqueur.

Apricot has so many benefits to health,skin and hair. The health benefits are as follows;

• Apricot that are consumed always helps to treat cancer. It is also said that apricots seeds contain a compound called B17 which will help treat cancer.

• It has high levels of Vitamin A and C which aides the immune system

• Apricots contain an antioxidant called Zea xanthin and this provides light filtering functions by improving vision

• It treats constipation

• Apricots has all necessary nutrients that helps the bone to grow

• Apricot oil helps in curing earaches by dropping a few drops to the ear that is affected

• It cures fever

• It helps to maintain heart health

• It also helps the pregnant women and they are advised to consume dried apricots

SKIN BENEFITS

• Apricots helps get rid of dead skin cells by making the skin to Renew itself

• It helps to treat acne

• It is used for massaging the body and skin and keeps the skin healthy

• Apricot contain Vitamin E and helps to delay the sign of ageing

• Apricots treat skin that is damaged

HAIR BENEFITS OF APRICOT

• Apricot kernel oil helps to improve the health of your hair

• It helps to keep the hair moisturized and conditioned

• It makes the hair look shiny and soft when you apply the oil on it

• It helps to treat dandruff, eczema, scalp and psoriasis

Also apricots has its own side effect. Dried apricot contain sulfites and this have serious impact on the health thereby inducing asthmatic attack and people suffering from it should stay away from consuming dried apricot.

Have a nice day!