Apricots: health benefits and harms

Apricot is a stone fruit. It has an oval shape, bright orange color and a rough skin. The birthplace of such a product is China. Fruit has been grown for more than two millennia, while many new varieties have been bred over the past 10 years.

Such a sunny fruit is characterized by excellent taste. But, in addition to an amazing taste, apricot fruits have a positive effect on human health. Nevertheless, this product has some contraindications that should be considered during use.

What is the difference between peaches and apricots

1. Apricot fruits are small in size, peaches are larger. The first have a yellow-orange peel, sometimes a blush may be present on one side of the fetus. The second have a yellowish skin with bright red spots throughout the surface.
2. Apricots contain a large amount of sugar, so the fruit has a rich sweet flavor, and in peaches the sweetness is not so pronounced, sometimes you can even feel bitterness.
3. Peach is characterized by more juicy pulp in comparison with apricot.
4. As for the chemical composition, apricot fruits contain more calcium and retinol. Peaches are enriched with zinc, tocopherol and magnesium.
5. Peach tree fruits are more likely to cause an allergic reaction.

What is more useful

Despite the external differences and a certain difference in chemical composition, both fruits have useful qualities. It is difficult to say that one of them is more useful than the other, each in its own way. Unless people with a tendency to allergies should use peaches with caution. Apricots are safe in this regard.

Composition and calorie content

Apricot fruits are a source of vitamin A, which is fat-soluble and improves vision. Also, such fruits are saturated with fiber, which helps to reduce the indicator of bad cholesterol in the blood, protects the gastrointestinal tract from disorders and provides regular bowel cleansing.

A high concentration of potassium strengthens the heart muscle. When eating such fruits, the normal growth and development of the skeletal system is ensured, because they contain almost all of the minerals responsible for this - Ca, P, Mn, Fe, Cu. In combination with potassium, all these minerals are better absorbed and evenly distributed. So, regular consumption of apricot in fresh or dried form will be the prevention of various bone diseases. Also, phosphorus with magnesium in the fetus provides stimulation of brain neurons, which makes it useful for people whose activities are related to mental stress.

In addition, they contain antioxidant substances that cleanse the body of toxic elements and free radicals that damage cells. As a result, natural aging processes are slowed down.

The high content of retinol and ascorbic acid allows you to resist various diseases, including cancer. Also in the fruits of the apricot tree found oleic and linoleic acid. They are essential amino acids.

Calorie content of the product is only 40 kcal per 100 g.

Why apricots are useful

General benefit

1. Apricots are useful in the presence of vitamin A, which supports the immune system and eye health.
2. Fiber in the product is beneficial for the digestive system. When the fetus enters the body, its rapid breakdown occurs, while all nutrients are easily absorbed.
3. Also, the presence of fiber allows you to normalize the level of cholesterol in the blood, which, in turn, protects the heart and blood vessels from various diseases.
4. Apricots have beneficial skin properties. Vitamins, antioxidants and mineral components help maintain healthy and beautiful skin, and also help slow down the aging process.
5. The product establishes metabolic processes, so the use of apricots is useful for the figure.

For women

Fresh apricot fruits contain iodine salts, which have a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland. Probably every woman knows how important the health of this organ is in the synthesis of female hormones.

Vitamin C in the composition of fresh fruit will strengthen the immune system, as well as prolong youth. In combination with retinol, it positively affects the dermis, gives it freshness, beauty and youth. As a result of the inclusion of such a product in the diet, acne is eliminated and wounds heal faster. B-group vitamins improve the activity of the cardiovascular system, regulate blood pressure and calm the nervous system.

For men

A large list of macro- and micronutrients in the composition of apricot tree fruits protects against muscle cramps. This product property is especially appreciated by athletes. Fiber and magnesium prevent blockage of blood vessels and ensure normal blood flow. In addition, improves blood circulation in the pelvis, which protects the male body from urological diseases. By increasing the flow of blood to the groin, potency improves, which also prevents the development of the prostate.

After 40 years, representatives of the stronger sex are susceptible to the occurrence of cardiovascular pathologies. Therefore, they are advised to eat apricots in order to prevent the atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The use of dried apricots contributes to the normalization of blood pressure in men, reduces the risk of stroke. This is due to the content of nicotinic acid in fruits.

During pregnancy

Pregnant women should monitor their diet. They should eat fruits, including apricots, as they are rich in all the vitamins and minerals that are needed by the growing baby and the woman herself. It is recommended to eat them in the last trimester, since it is during this period that the woman has anemia caused by iron deficiency. Vitamin C will help strengthen the immune system and protect against colds. Thanks to potassium, the water balance in the body is regulated, while phosphorus ensures the formation of the skeleton of the fetus.

When breastfeeding

Doctors say that a nursing woman can eat apricot fruit. But there are some exceptions to consider. For example, individual intolerance is sometimes observed in a mother or a baby. In addition, the product may cause colic in the baby.

The optimal period for the introduction of such a product is 4 months or more. At the first dose, it is enough to use half of the fetus. If the baby does not have any side effects, the next time a woman can already eat a whole apricot.Such a treat stimulates the formation of milk and improves its quality, in particular, it eliminates the bitterness that occurs when a young mother is malnourished.

For kids

Pediatricians are advised to introduce this herbal product into the child’s diet after they are six months old. Fresh apricots can be given to children after 10 months. It must be remembered that each organism is unique, therefore, before use, you should consult a specialist. Often children develop allergies to such fruits.

When losing weight

Despite the low calorie content of apricots, they contain quite a lot of carbohydrates and sugars. Therefore, use them during the diet should be careful. Nutritionists advise you to eat no more than 150 g during the day. But you should also not exclude such a fruit from the diet. It contains many vitamins that are necessary for a losing weight person.

Apricot is a product enriched with beneficial substances, but having very few calories. During the whole diet, which lasts from 2 to 5 days, these fruits in any form should prevail in the diet. You can only eat fruits or make salads, mashed potatoes, compote, etc. from them.

There is even an apricot diet, in which 1–1.5 kg of fruit should be eaten throughout the day. In this case, the fruits must be divided into small portions. You should not increase the amount of food eaten, even if hunger is felt, otherwise the digestive system will not be able to cope with such a load.

Are green apricots healthy?

Unripe apricots can be dangerous to human health. Firstly, they do not contain useful elements. Secondly, they can harm the intestines and the entire digestive tract as a whole. Diarrhea may appear.

The benefits and uses of apricot leaves

Apricot leaves also have medicinal properties. They can remove toxins from the body. People working in hazardous industries should drink 1 cup of leaf-based broth every day. In addition, it will help if there are worms in the body.

If there are bruises and abrasions, you can apply a compress with apricot leaves, previously crushed. It should be kept all night.

Also, when chewing apricot tree leaves twice a day, stomatitis can be cured.

Apricot juice: benefits and harms

Apricot juice contains carotene, fiber, organic acids, iodine and other substances. Pectin in the composition of such a drink is effective in removing cholesterol plaques. Vitamin A is essential for healthy bones and teeth.

To use fruit squeeze for preventive purposes, you should drink 1 cup of liquid per day. You should choose juices that do not contain sugar. It is best to cook such a product yourself.

The benefits of apricot jam

In the process of making apricot jam, a significant part of the beneficial properties of the fruit is preserved. It is recommended to prepare such a dessert in the summer period, when it is easy to find fresh and healthy fruits. In the cold season, such a treat will be beneficial for colds, and will also improve the digestive tract and the cardiovascular system. Also, jam should be consumed by people who have a tumor.

Apricot oil: properties and applications

From cold pressed apricot kernels, pure and natural oil is obtained, which contains vitamins A, E, C, B, mineral components, acids, stearins, natural wax, magnesium and potassium salts. Such a product is characterized by antibacterial, antiseptic, tonic, softening and anti-aging properties.

With regular use of such a product, a rejuvenating effect can be achieved. The skin is toned, restored. Small wrinkles are smoothed out, the dermis becomes firm and elastic. Also, the oil provides quick healing of minor burns, wounds.

This product is used to improve the growth of eyelashes, eyebrows.

Useful properties of apricot kernel

1. Apricot seeds are appreciated due to the presence of a number of vitamins and micro and macro elements in them. If the bones are sweet, then they contain a lot of oil. They also have a large amount of protein.
2. In cooking, glazes are obtained from the nucleoli, they are used to make ice cream, cream, and waffles.
3. The kernel of an apricot kernel is considered an anthelmintic. If you make tea from it, you get a drink that treats cardiovascular diseases. It is allowed to eat a day no more than 20 apricot kernels.
4. The main benefit of apricot kernel seeds is that they help in the fight against cancer cells. This is due to their vitamin B17 content.

When using the product, it should be remembered that in bitter nucleoli there are a large number of organic poisons, which, when ingested, begin to produce hydrocyanic acid. Excess of this substance in the body is dangerous by the occurrence of severe poisoning.

What are the benefits of dried apricots

Dried apricot fruits have unique healing properties due to its rich composition. So, in such a product contains a lot of ascorbic, nicotinic acid, vitamins B1, B2 and B5. Of the minerals, Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Co. are stored in it.

Dried fruits are useful for people with pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. Due to the presence of potassium salts in them, they have a beneficial effect on the activity of the heart muscle, normalize blood pressure and increase the hemoglobin in the blood. The consumption of dried apricots is indicated for people with anemia.

When taking diuretics, it is recommended that you include such dried fruits in your diet to prevent potassium leaching from the body. In addition, this product has a laxative effect, which helps to cleanse the intestines and restore its motility. Pectins and fiber are responsible for enhancing the cleansing process. Also, this treat is useful for diseases of the kidneys and thyroid gland.

Stewed fruit from dried fruits is an effective remedy for vitamin deficiency.

How to dry

Collected fruits should be sorted, ripe, green and damaged specimens should be removed and only ripe and whole apricots should be used. Next, the raw materials must be thoroughly washed and dried. It is recommended to remove seeds from the fruit.

To preserve the bright color of dried fruits, you can place the peeled fruits in water for 10 minutes with the addition of citric acid, and then dry again.

Drying can be done in the sun, in the oven and special devices. When using natural sunlight, fruit must first be wilted. To do this, they need to be distributed on a tray and put in shade. Then move the raw materials under direct sunlight for 4–5 hours. Such procedures are carried out for several days. After that, dried apricot fruits can be transferred to containers for further storage.

If you use the oven, the cooking time for such a dessert will be reduced to 12-20 hours. All that is needed is to decompose the fruits that have been cleaned from the cores on a wire rack and place them in an oven at a temperature of 40–50 degrees. With each hour, you can increase the rate by 6-7 units. At the time of receipt of the finished product, the temperature of the device should be no more than 80 degrees.

Apricot kernel urbech: benefits and harms

Urbek is a viscous paste-like mass of seeds crushed on stone millstones. The dish belongs to the Dagestan cuisine. Apricot kernel paste has a unique composition, has a number of healing properties and is characterized by excellent taste.

Such a product contains the same list of useful elements as in the seeds of the fruit. It should be noted that apricot kernels contain amygdalin, which in the digestive tract is converted to hydrocyanic acid and cyanides. These substances cause severe poisoning with uncontrolled use of urbec.

Such a treat has a powerful anti-cancer effect, comparable to medical treatment. In addition, the use of such a product in the diet allows you to protect cells from aging, improve the condition of the skin, cleanse the body of harmful substances, establish metabolism, improve memory and increase efficiency.

The paste is useful for heavy loads, as well as after diseases. But still you need to take such a remedy with caution. An adult can eat up to 3 tsp. product. In case of an overdose, headache and nausea may appear.

Apricots in medicine

For a long time, people dried apricots and used them to eliminate bad breath. Now, after many studies, the fruit is used in the treatment of a large number of pathologies.

So, it must be used for anemia, heart rhythm disturbance. Also, the product is effective in constipation due to diuretic and laxative properties. Some are used to using such fruits at elevated temperatures and coughing.

With diabetes

Apricot should be eaten with sugar with caution. Experts advise not to abuse such a delicacy and eat no more than 4 apricots per day.

Diabetics can replace fresh dried apricots. In this form, they contain less sugar.

Important: apricot glycemic index - 30 units.

With pancreatitis

With inflammation of the pancreas, apricots can be dangerous. Since they have a laxative effect, stool may be disturbed, which can aggravate the situation. This applies to the period of exacerbation. In the remission phase, you can eat a small amount of fruit, but after eating.

With gastritis

Gastritis, which occurs with increased acidity, suggests a complete rejection of such a fruit treat. If acidity is lowered, apricot fruits can be used from time to time. However, you should first consult with a specialist.

For the intestines

To restore bowel function, fruit juice can be used. So, with bowel diseases, you should drink several glasses of the drink a day. A glass of apricot juice per day, divided into two doses (morning and evening), will help get rid of colitis, flatulence and dysbiosis.

For constipation

Apricot is also indicated for the treatment of constipation. In this case, you need to cook compote. Such a tool has a mild laxative effect. It should be drunk three times a day after a meal.

With gout

Patients with gout need to reduce the amount of salt and foods high in purines. With this disease, you need to include some fruits in the diet, among which is apricot. This fruit has a low concentration of purine compounds.

With colitis

Apricot fruits are contraindicated in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. This product has fiber, which leads to the rapid advancement of the contents of the large intestine. If colitis is detected, the consumption of this fruit is dangerous for violation of the stool, as well as the development of cramping in the abdomen.

For the liver

According to some experts, apricot is a very useful product for the liver. The fact is that it contains a lot of pectin, which is designed to remove pesticides, salts of heavy metals from the body, which reduces the load on this organ. But still, you should eat such fruits with caution, since they are prohibited in hepatitis.

With hemorrhoids

In this condition, caution is also required when using apricot fruits. If the fruit is unripe, severe intestinal irritation may occur. In case of hemorrhoids, plant foods should be consumed fresh, since only in this state all vitamins and useful fiber are stored in them.In this case, they should not be subjected to any heat treatment.

With cholecystitis

With inflammation of the gallbladder, a violation of the outflow of bile occurs. This reduces the activity of the pancreas and adversely affects the digestion of food and its promotion throughout the intestines.

Apricots can be included in the diet for this disease. They have a choleretic property. However, this only applies to fruit juice made with ripe fruits by one's own hands. You can drink no more than 1 cup squeeze at a time.

This allows you to normalize the outflow of bile, improve digestion. In addition, in this case, pain decreases, the need for the use of a large number of medicines disappears.

Apricots in cosmetology

Since apricot fruits are characterized by a large number of useful qualities, they are widely used in the cosmetology sphere. Fruit pulp and seed oil are used to make masks.

Such masks are very effective and give quick results. This is due to the rich vitamin composition. Natural apricot masks are excellent products that can be used for any skin type and in various conditions.

For face

1. To prepare a classic mask, you just need to apply puree obtained from the pulp of apricot on the skin of the face. You can also dampen a napkin in natural juice and use it as a mask.
2. You can prepare a nourishing mask. To do this, you need to take the cottage cheese with apricot pulp in equal proportions and apply the mixture for 15-20 minutes on the face.
3. To obtain a rejuvenating mask, you need 2 tbsp. add 1 tsp apricot puree honey, one egg yolk, 0.5 tsp salt, 1 tbsp thick semolina in milk.
4. A refreshing mask consists of 2 tbsp. apricot pulp, 1 tbsp. sour cream, 1 tsp vegetable oil and 1 yolk. Apply the mixture on the face for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
5. With oily skin type, a mask will be effective, for which it is necessary to take 2 tbsp. fruit puree and 1 tablespoon squeezed lemon.
6. For a sensitive dermis, a remedy consisting of 2 tbsp is suitable. apricot pulp and 1 tbsp. honey, milk and chopped oatmeal.

For hair

Apricot oil is an indispensable component in cosmetology. It helps to get rid of seborrhea, restores the structure of the hair, makes them healthy. For preventive purposes, apricot-based masks are used once a week. If you need to achieve recovery, you will need to carry out 15 procedures, twice a week. It is also worth noting that with a dry type of hair, the product is applied to curls along the entire length, with fat - only at the ends.

1. To get rid of split ends, you need to immerse them in a heated apricot squeeze for a few minutes. In this way, you can use every day for two weeks.
2. For oily hair, a mask will be useful, for the preparation of which it is necessary to mix 1 tbsp. milk, 1 tbsp. apricot oil and 1 tsp honey. Mix all components thoroughly, apply to hair and keep for about an hour. You can use a mask for dry strands. In this case, you need to brew 1 tablespoon in 100 ml of boiled water. chamomile, strain and add to it 1 tsp. oily liquid based on apricot and 1 tbsp. camphor alcohol.
3. Masks are made not only from oil, but the pulp of the fruit itself can also be used. For example, you can make a shampoo that is suitable for all types of hair. To do this, grind in a blender 0.5 kg of apricot pulp and 100 g of strawberries. Then pour boiling water over 100 g of crushed rice for 10 minutes, and then mix it with the resulting gruel. Use this mixture instead of shampoo, rubbing it into the roots of the hair. Rice absorbs all the dirt and grease and makes the hair shiny. After this, it is recommended to rinse the head with a decoction of herbs or water with the addition of apple cider vinegar.

Harm and contraindications

When using apricots, some contraindications should be considered.

In the production of dried fruits and other products from this fruit, sulfites are often used in the factory, which can cause an allergic reaction in people with such a tendency. In addition, such supplements can cause asthma attacks in patients of this category.

People who are allergic to pollen may show the same reaction to apricot. Itching, burning in the throat and mouth may also occur. Such unpleasant symptoms may disappear after a while. But still, you should consult your doctor to find out the cause and take appropriate measures.

Unripe fruits can cause indigestion.

How to choose and store apricots

Acquiring apricots, in no case should you choose green fruits. Ripe fruits have a uniform orange color; small specks of a darker color may be present. However, too dark spots indicate spoilage of the product. Apricots should be resilient, and the peel should not be damaged. The smell of fresh food is sweet, specific.

Store in the kitchen at room temperature, these fruits will not work, they quickly deteriorate. Apricots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If dark spots appear, the product should be disposed of.

Is it possible to freeze

Apricot fruit can be frozen. At the same time, the temperature of the freezer should be -18 and below. The frozen product is stored for a year.

Before you send the fruits to freeze, you should wash them, dry them with a paper towel. Next, cut the apricots into slices, arrange on a tray and load into the freezer. When they become “glass”, they can be transferred into a bag, tied tightly and sent for storage. It is recommended to indicate the date on the package to know about the expiration date.

What can I cook from apricots: recipes

Apricot-based dishes are quite popular, because many people like this fruit. Such fruits are very tasty, have a unique aroma. The pulp contains many beneficial substances that are good for the heart. From the moment that mankind began to consume apricots, many recipes appeared, and not only the flesh, but also the bone was used.

Jam

It will take 1 kg of fruit and 700 g of sugar. First, the fruits should be washed and stoned. Sprinkle the pulp with sugar and leave it overnight. During this time, she will start up juice. Drain the resulting liquid to make the dessert thicker. Next, put the apricots on a slow fire. Peel off the foam as needed. From the moment of boiling, cook the mass for 30 minutes. After that, pack the jam on sterilized containers and roll up. Turn the cans over, wrap them in a blanket and leave to cool completely.

Jam

To make fruit jam, you will need 1 kg of apricots and sugar. The process should begin with the preparation of the fruits - they need to be washed, cut into slices, remove the core. Send the finished raw materials to a blender and grind until a homogeneous slurry is obtained. Measure the right amount of pulp, sprinkle with sugar, stir and leave for 20-25 minutes. Next, pour the jam blank into enameled dishes with a thick bottom and send to medium heat. After boiling with a slotted spoon, remove the foam. Cook the dessert for about 20 minutes, then pour hot on a sterile container. Cans should be stored upside down under a blanket until cool. Ready jam is stored in a cold place.

Jam

To make thick jam, you need to prepare 4 kg of whole fruits, of which you will get about 3 kg of apricot halves, 1.5 kg of granulated sugar and a little cinnamon to taste. About three half-liter jars of jam are obtained from this quantity of products.

For such a dessert, it is necessary to select ripe apricots, soft, but without signs of decay. Wash, dry and seed the fruits. Next, transfer the fruit halves to the dishes in which they will be cooked. Pour apricots with a sweetener.In this form, they should stand for about five hours. During this time, mix the mass several times so that the sugar component is evenly distributed over the pulp and the syrup begins to stand out faster.

Place the cookware with the workpiece on the stove and bring to a boil over medium heat. Several times it is necessary to stir the apricots, as well as remove the foam.

After boiling, the fire should be reduced and boiled jam for 35-40 minutes. The longer the mass is cooked, the thicker it will turn out. You can not leave a treat unattended, it must be constantly stirred so that it does not burn. Add cinnamon a few minutes before cooking. Arrange the hot dessert in sterilized dry jars and roll up the lids.

Compote

To prepare one three-liter jar of compote, you need 600 g of apricot fruit, 200 g of apples, a glass of sugar and water.

First you need to rinse the fruits, clean them from the core. Then spread the raw materials into sterilized containers with a volume of three liters.

Regardless of what proportions are indicated in the recipe, it is still not recommended to fill the jar strongly with fruit. It is best to fill the container 1/3 of the total can. Now you need to fill the fruit with sugar on top and pour cool boiling water into the jars. In this form, seal the container with lids. Take and shake the rolled jar several times. This is necessary so that the sugar grains are completely dissolved. Then you should turn the cans over, wrap them in a blanket and leave for 12-14 hours to cool.

Such compote can be stored even at room temperature. Of course, if there is a basement, it is better to rearrange them in a cool place, but nothing will happen to them in the apartment.

Juice

To make tasty and healthy juice, you need to prepare 1 kg of apricot fruits and a glass of sugar. The cooking process begins with the preparation of fruits. Wash the apricots, cut into two, remove the seed. You can grind fruit raw materials in a blender or leave them in halves. Add a glass of water to the apricot mass and boil for several minutes over low heat. The mixture will be ready when the fruit is fully boiled. Now the resulting base will need to be filtered. This can be done with gauze, which must be folded in several layers so that the pulp of the fruit does not get into the juice.

Next, you need to split several seeds and put the collected kernels for 1 minute in boiling water. Pour granulated sugar into the fruit mass and add prepared cores. Put the resulting mass on fire until the first bubbles appear. Sugar at this point should dissolve, and then remove the core from the workpiece.

Banks need to be prepared in advance and pour hot mixture into them. Next, place a glass container with a base for juice in a large pot with water and boil for about 20 minutes. After the specified period, turn off the fire and leave the cans in the kitchen until completely cooled.

Confiture

Confiture, unlike jam and jam, has a special structure. So, the liquid part of such a dessert should resemble a jelly-like mass in consistency. The fruits themselves should be pronounced, regardless of whether they are whole or in pieces. There are many recipes for apricot confiture.

To prepare such a treat according to the classic recipe, you will need 1 medium-sized lemon, 1 kg of fresh apricot fruit, 1 kg of granulated sugar.

Fresh fruit must first be thoroughly washed and cut in half. Also remove the bones. If the fruits are too large, it is recommended to cut them into smaller pieces. Transfer the prepared fruits to a small container. Add the zest of a whole lemon here.

Then, evenly sprinkle the surface of apricots with white sugar. Do not mix the mass, you just need to shake it slightly and cover it. In this form, place the fruit mass in the refrigerator for 24 hours. For a day, apricot fruits are infused and let in a sufficient amount of juice. Therefore, there is no need to additionally use water. In addition, the fruits become soft, which further reduces the time required to fully prepare the jam.The next day, put the container on the fire and cook the confiture for 20 minutes. All this time the mixture needs to be mixed and peeled as necessary. Next, turn off the stove and immediately pour the hot workpiece into clean containers. Roll up the banks tightly and then send them for storage to the pantry or cellar.

Tincture

To prepare fruit tinctures, you can use a simple recipe that does not involve the use of apricot kernels. In this case, you will need 1 kg of fruit, 1 liter of vodka and 0.5 kg of sugar. To get a sweeter alcoholic drink, you can increase the amount of sweetener.

First you need to clean the apricots from the cores, which, by the way, can be used to prepare a separate tincture according to another recipe. Place the prepared pulp in a jar and pour vodka. The alcohol-containing liquid should completely cover the fruit base by 5 cm minimum. Close the container tightly and send it to a warm and dark place for a month. Every five days, the mixture must be shaken. Next, drain the liquid part into a separate bowl. Sprinkle the remaining fruit pulp with sugar, mix and cover. In the sun, this mass should last two weeks, every few days you need to shake it. This is done so that the sweetener pulled out the remains of the aromatic alcoholic beverage from the pulp. Now filter the syrup and squeeze the apricot base.

Mix the infusion with syrup and stand for another week in a dark place. Pass the finished drink through a napkin or cheesecloth, and then pack it in bottles for further storage. Such a product is stored 3-5 years.

Wine

Ingredients: 1 part ripe fruit, 1 part sugar and three parts purified, unboiled water. The preparation of fruits consists in wiping them with a clean cloth, removing seeds, and also rotted fruits. The prepared raw materials should be thoroughly kneaded and placed in a bowl, pour slightly warmed water, cover with gauze and leave for several days, regularly mixing the mass. In 1-2 days, the wort will begin to ferment.

On day 5, the juice from the fermenting mixture must be carefully drained, and the flesh squeezed with a gauze. Add sugar to the collected liquid and send it to a dark place with room temperature under a water seal. The drink in the container should occupy no more than 2/3 of the volume.

It takes 10 to 20 days to ferment, depending on the temperature conditions in the room (the temperature should not be lower than 18 and not higher than 30 degrees). It also affects the sugar content of apricot. Product availability is determined by a water seal or glove that descends.

Young apricot wine is ready. Now you need to separate it from the sediment through a tube. Such procedures should be carried out 2 times every 2 days. Next, plug the liquid and send it to a cool room for further fermentation. This usually takes 3-4 months. Only after this period the liquid can be called wine. Then it remains only to once again drain the product from the precipitate and pack it in bottles.

Paste

The process of making homemade apricot pastille is quite simple. It is only necessary to turn the fruit into a smoothie and put on a baking sheet with a thin layer. Next, the resulting mass is dried in any convenient way. You can cook such a treat without adding sugar. It is good to use filler in the form of crushed nuts.

You can make sugar candy pastille. In this case, you will need 2 kg of fruits and 0.5 cups of sweetener. In this case, the crushed raw materials will need to be mixed with sugar until it is dissolved and put in a bowl with a thick bottom. Boil the mass until its volume is reduced by about half.

Sauce

You can make apricot sauce for meat.To do this, prepare 700 g of fruit, half a chili pepper, 30 g of sugar component, 5 cloves of garlic, 10 g of salt and dill.

First you need to rinse the apricots, remove the core and cut into small pieces. Put apricot mass, salt and sugar in a suitable dish. Then add a little water and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook the sauce for 15 minutes over low heat. During this time, grind the remaining ingredients, add them to the bulk and cook for another quarter hour. Such a workpiece is suitable for long-term storage. Therefore, in hot form, it should be poured into sterile jars and corked with lids.

Dried apricots

Parchment paper should be placed on a baking sheet and the apricots divided in half should be placed on it and sent to the oven. The oven temperature should be 40 degrees. After three hours, the temperature can be raised to a value of 60. It is recommended that you open the door slightly. This is done so that evaporation occurs, otherwise dried apricots will not work, and the apricots will be baked. A couple of hours before being ready to set the mode to 50 degrees. The preparation of such a treat takes an average of 10 hours.

To preserve the saturated bright color of the dessert, before loading into the oven, you must hold the fruit over boiling water for 10 minutes. You need to do this with a colander. To give dried apricots an amber color, you can use citric acid. In this case, it is necessary to hold the apricot fruits in a solution consisting of 1 tablespoon for some time before drying. acid and 2 l of water.

How to eat apricots

According to the rules of etiquette, to eat an apricot correctly, you need to keep it with the stalk down, and bite closer to the seed. When the core of the fetus becomes visible, it must be reached with the fingers of the other hand. They eat such a product with the peel.

You can simply cut the fruit into two parts and enjoy its pleasant taste. This sunny fruit is used both fresh and in the form of jam, dried apricots, it is added to salads and desserts, as well as main dishes. In addition, apricots can be combined with various dairy products, include in cereals and pastries.

How much can you eat per day

Adults can eat no more than 500 g of fresh fruit and 100 g of dried fruit per day. For pregnant women, the acceptable norm is 5-6 fresh fruits and not more than 50 g of dried apricots. As for squeezing from the fruit, you can drink no more than 150 ml of the drink.

Children, starting from 10 months, can be given fruit puree from a couple of apricots, diluted with water or milk.

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

It is not recommended to use apricot fruit on an empty stomach and at bedtime. The fact is that in such a product, like in many other fruits, it contains many acids that can irritate the gastric mucosa. In addition, such fruits increase appetite, that is, acids in their composition stimulate the synthesis of gastric juice. This applies to more acidic varieties.

If the apricots are sweet, they can increase the load on the pancreas. In addition, in the evening, food moves more slowly along the digestive tract, so fermentation is likely. As a result of this, flatulence and bloating may occur.

Can I eat bones

In the seeds of apricot there is hydrocyanic acid, which in large doses is dangerous to humans. However, the use of apricot nucleoli in a small amount will help increase brain activity and protect the heart from the development of diseases. In addition, the core of the fetus is saturated with protein, which is necessary for the normal development of muscle tissue.

Is it possible to give animals apricots

As for apricots, dogs can be given a small amount of dried fruit. It is especially good to give them during the period of active growth, as well as during the pregnancy of the pet. Some owners of pets say that there is a puff of dried apricots of animals, such phenomena are not observed from fresh fruits.Some have a laxative effect of the product. In general, everything is very individual.

Interesting facts about apricots

1. From a botanical point of view, apricots are relatives of plums.
2. Most apricot trees grow in Turkey.
3. Dried pitted apricot fruits are called dried apricots. If the fruit is dried along with the core, it is called "apricot". But, besides this, there is another option. In this case, the bone is removed from the fruit, the kernel is removed, which is placed back into the apricot. Such a product is called ashtak-pashtak.

Photo apricots