Nutrients in apricots can help protect the heart and eyes, as well as provide the disease-fighting effects of fiber. The high beta-carotene and lycopene activity of apricots makes them important heart health foods. Both beta-carotene and lycopene protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which may help prevent heart disease.
History of Apricots
In the Beginning
Nearly 4000 years ago, a fruit belonging to the rose family was discovered on the mountain slopes of China. Today, it’s generally accepted that the Chinese first cultivated this ancient fruit, the wild ancestor to the present day apricot. It is also believed that the Chinese considered the apricot to contain special fertility enhancing properties.
With the strong sensory appeal of apricots’ delicate, velvety skin and intensely sweet fragrance and flavor, apricot cuttings traveled across the Persian Empire to the Mediterranean where they flourished. Many varieties of the fruit differing in size, color and flavor are still grown with popular appeal throughout the world today.
The Start of California’s Apricot History
In the 18th century, Spanish explorers introduced apricots to the New World. California inherited the golden blush fruit planted in the gardens of Spanish missions. In 1792, the first major production of California apricots was recorded.
By 1920, California proudly claimed a flourishing apricot industry located in the Santa Clara Valley, an area south of San Francisco also known for peaches, plums and cherries. Only fifteen years later, 2,737 California apricot growers farmed a total of 18,631 acres in the valley alone.
After World War II, the valley once known for fruit farming was fast becoming an area known for a growing computer industry and the development of the “Silicon Valley.” Consequently by the end of the century, California’s apricot orchards had been relocated to the San Joaquin Valley where they are predominately found today.
Today’s Apricot Industry
The apricot is one of California’s prized specialty crops. In fact, California produces a remarkable 95+% of all the apricots grown in the United States.
There are over 300 growers producing apricots from orchards covering 17,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley with the leading production area being Stanislaus County.
Varieties
California apricot growers produce a number of apricot varieties. The most dominant variety planted and produced in California today is the Patterson developed in 1969 by Fred W. Anderson. A consistent producer and very versatile, the Patterson is used for canning, freezing, drying, concentrate and fresh shipment.
Season and Usage
Eagerly awaited as one of the first summer fruits, the apricot has a relatively short fresh season. Depending on harvest conditions, consumers can generally find California apricots in the produce aisles beginning mid-May and continuing through early July. Consumers desiring apricots’ sweetly tart flavor and healthy properties year-round can easily turn to apricot nectar, and canned, dried or frozen California apricots which are nutritionally comparable to their fresh counterparts.
A Focus on Tradition
California’s rich apricot heritage reflects the same passion growers possess today for the alluring apricot. To keep the tradition alive, the Apricot Producers of California fight to strengthen and preserve the California apricot industry. Three times larger in the 1920’s, the California apricot industry has been hit hard by factors such as the importation of foreign apricot products and the increase of consumer fruit choices in the marketplace. Although California is still a leader in the apricot industry, growers willingly face an uncertain future to continue producing the delicate and beloved apricot.
I just received my order today and tried each of the items I ordered. What great products. they are for gifts to my co-workers and I know they will enjoy your products.
Thanks for getting my order to me in a timely manner!!!
Debi Christie
-Debi, CA
I like to have dried fruit in my cereal for both flavor and fiber. With my previous order - my first from you - I decided to try several different items. All were excellent in taste and packaged well. (My main problem is I can't find my second pound of peaches...saw them and put them up...where I don't know!) I ordered these items for myself, but obviously willing to share with my husband though. At first he wasn't interested. Then decided to try the peaches first, then the apricots, then the cherries. He was absolutely delighted with the apricots and cherries, and has even resorted to the cranberries since I've run out of the other items. Personally, I was more than satisfied with all of the items I purchased or I wouldn't be ordering again...much less so soon. In fact, to afford these I'm going to have to discipline myself not to eat too much! So I just want to thank you for your commitment to quality products. I'm feeling better since including them in my diet.
-Cheryl, Camden Points, MO
I'm so glad that I found your website. My mother makes the best (from scratch) apricot fried pies that you've ever eaten. The problem was, the California apricots were no longer available in local grocery stores for some unknown reason. That's when I decided to check the internet and found "J&D Fine Foods". The rest is history! We are now enjoying wonderful California apricot fried pies again! Yours are the "Best"!!!
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