Apricot

The Turkish idiom "bundan iyisi Sam'da kayisi" (literally, the only thing better than this is apricot in Damascus) means "it doesn't get any better than this" and used when something is the very best it can be; like a delicious apricot from Damascus.

"The apricot (Prunus armeniaca or Armenian plum) is a fruit-bearing tree, native to China and spread to Europe through Armenia. It is classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus of the Prunus genus. Apricots are stone fruit (drupes), so called because the lone seed is often called a "stone".

The name derives from "apricock" and "abrecox", through the French abricot, from the Spanish albaricoque, which was an adaptation of the Arabic al-burquk, adapted from the Latin praecox or praecoquus, early, possibly referring to the fruit maturing much earlier in the summer than plums. However, in Argentina and Chile the word for "apricot" is "damasco" which probably indicates that to the Spanish settlers of Argentina the fruit was associated with Damascus in Syria." (source)

"The apricot grows wild in the mountains around Beijing, China, marking the country where it originated, and is known to have been cultivated at least as early as 2200 B.C. Throughout its long history it has been slow to spread, perhaps because it exists on the brink of viability. It must have a temperate climate, for it requires the dormant period provided by a cool winter, but it blooms early and is extremely susceptible to frost, which temperate climates have a habit of producing too late in the spring. The tree took perhaps less time in getting from China to Mesopotamia than it did in progressing farther; it was grown in the hanging gardens of Babylon. The Romans may have imported them from Persia, where they were called "eggs of the sun."

The crusaders brought them back from the eastern Mediterranean. The Moors raised apricots on the plains of Granada, Spain. Mission Fathers brought apricots to California in the early 18th century. California is known for the quality of their fresh fruit; Turkey for their dried apricot industry." (Waverly Root, Food: an authoritative and visual history and dictionary of the foods of the world, 1980)

"Apricots are also cultivated in Egypt and are among the common fruits well known there. The season in which apricot is present in the market in Egypt is very short. There is even an Egyptian proverb that says "Fel meshmesh" (English "in the apricot") which is used to refer to something that will not happen because the apricot disappears from the market in Egypt so shortly after it has appeared. Egyptians usually dry apricot and sweeten it then use it to make a drink called "amar el deen"." (Source)

Amaretto: made from apricot seeds

Seeds or kernels of the apricot grown in central Asia and around the Mediterranean are so sweet that they may be substituted for almonds. The Italian liqueur Amaretto and amaretti biscotti are flavoured with extract of apricot kernels rather than almonds. Oil pressed from these cultivars has been used as cooking oil.

Apricots & Cancer

"Cyanogenic glycosides (found in most stone fruit seeds, bark, and leaves) are found in high concentration in apricot seeds. Laetrile, a purported alternative treatment for cancer, is extracted from apricot seeds. As early as the year 502, apricot seeds were used to treat tumors, and in the 17th century apricot oil was used in England against tumors and ulcers. However, in 1980 the National Cancer Institute in the USA claimed laetrile to be an ineffective cancer treatment." (http://www.tricountyfarm.org/oregon_apricots.asp)

Malatya, Turkey: world apricot production center

A world center for apricot production is Malatya, Turkey. In addition to its contributions to Malatya's economical life, it has been affecting the cultural life and cusine of Malatya for years. 85% of apricot production of the world is made in Turkey and 95% of this production is made in Malatya. Approximately $150-200 million is provided from export of apricot to variety of countries.

The apricot was brought from its homeland consisting of Turkestan Central Asia and western China into Turkey in the course of history has culminated in its nicest, most delicious and sophisticated from in the fertile soil of Malatya. The apricots are harvested from nearly 4 million trees and later dried. Hacihaliloglu, Kabaasi, Soganci, hasanbey, Çöloglu, Çataloglu, Sekerpare, Yegen, Hacikiz, Pasamismisi and Turfanda are all different names of different kind apricots which, are dried processed, packed and prepared for sale. from its fresh fruit to its kernel, the apricot is a fruit which is beneficial in its froms and by products. These include processed apricots, frozen apricots, tinned apricots, pulp and nectar, apricot juice, jelly, jam, cream, marmalade, green apricot pickles and dried fruit pulp, apricot cake, and ice cream. It is accepted taht the apricot contributes to the paroper operation of the brain, prevents destruction of the liver, strengthens the teeth and bones, increases blood production, prevents cancer, and enhances the reprodurtive system.

Patterson, California Apricot Fiesta

During the first weekend in June, downtown Patterson becomes the epicenter of the town's largest celebration of the year, the Apricot Fiesta. The Fiesta kicks off on Friday with several beauty pageants, including one for the youth called Little Mr. & Miss Apricot.(see photo above). That evening, the Miss Patterson pageant takes place and offers high school/college young ladies the opportunity to win scholarships. Winners from Little Mr. & Miss Apricot and Miss Patterson are featured in the parade the following day. The Patterson Library hosts an art expose during the celebration, and the Patterson Museum -- located at the heart of Patterson (the prominent white building at El Circulo) -- remains open for the public to view Patterson's history. The three day celebration also boasts fireworks shows and, during early mornings, hot air balloons depart en masse from the football stadium at Patterson High School (source).

Patterson Apricot Festival

Apricots in Ice Cream, Beer, Wine etc.

Apricot ice cream, Canadian apricot wheat beer, Chinese apricot wine

Home

Back to Exhibits