Dried Apricots
Estimated Inventory, 5 lbs : 11.17
This item was last sold on : 01/29/25
Description/Taste
Dried apricots are very successful at retaining and preserving their sweet flavor. In Latin apricot means "precocious," named because it ripens earlier in the season than most other fruits. Most apricots' fate is to be dried or otherwise processed. Despite going through the drying process apricots still maintain their rich orange to golden color and have a chewy texture.
Seasons/Availability
Dried apricots are available year-round.
Current Facts
A modern process using sulphur dioxide is the most frequently used method in preparing dried apricots. This process bleaches the fruit before it is dried, making it necessary to recolor the fruit with a dye. Naturally dried in the sun, apricots have a much finer flavor. Fortunately, a number of sources use the sun-drying process including South Australia and Turkey. Apricot leather is another product using dried apricot flesh in the form of thin sheets which has a highly concentrated flavor. Many apricot varieties and species exist, differing in flavor, color, and size. In the United States today 95% of apricots are grown in the California San Joaquin Valley.
Nutritional Value
Dried apricots are fat free, very low in sodium, cholesterol free, high in vitamin A and are a good source of potassium. One half cup of dried apricots has about 40 calories, 1 gram of protein and 9 carbohydrates.
Applications
Dried apricots are commonly eaten out of hand as a snack. Dried apricots can be added to desserts such as puddings, cookies, muffins, cakes, quick breads and other baked goods. To store, dried apricots must be keep tightly wrapped in plastic or placed in a covered container.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Chinese cuisine, from at least the seventh century AD and on, preserved apricots not only by drying, but by salting and smoking. The black smoked apricots of Hupei have been well known for centuries.
Geography/History
Apricots were cultivated before 2000 BC, probably by the Chinese. Silk dealers spread this luscious fruit westward and it reached Persia by the first century BC. Rome and Greece were introduced to the apricot soon after. A member of the rose family, close relatives include the almond, plum, cherry and peach. Apricots are now grown in warmer temperate parts of the world. It requires highly specific climatic conditions because it ripens early. Apricots thrive in regions that have a fairly cold winter and moderately high temperatures in the spring and summer. A gardener of King Henry VIII brought the apricot to England from Italy in 1542. By the eighteenth century, successful growing of the fruit had been achieved, credited to Lord Anson at Moor Park in Hertfordshire. The Moor Park variety became famous in European countries and is still grown today. Regions of cultivation include a band that stretches from Turkey through Iran, the Himalayas to China and Japan; southern Europe and North Africa; South Africa, Australia and California.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Claytons Bakery & Bistro | Coronado CA | 619-435-5425 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-581-3500 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| The Butchery | San Diego CA | 858-345-1524 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
| La Costa Wine Co. | Carlsbad CA | 760-431-8455 |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Chef Jenn | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-9054 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Secret Sister (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Gossip Grill | San Diego CA | 619-260-8023 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Urban Corps Charter School | San Diego CA | 619-235-6884 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Carruth Cellars Urban Winery | San Diego CA | 619-546-9300 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
| Venissimo Cheese North Park | San Diego CA | 619-376-1834 |
| Leila | San Diego CA | 619-550-5412 |
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