Turkish Apricots

Turkish Apricots and California Apricots

Most of the dried apricots available for purchase online and in marketplaces are either from Turkey or California. There is a distinct difference in the texture, flavor and visual appearance of California-grown and Turkish apricots. Turkish apricots are plump and sweet. Their yellow-orange flesh is thicker than the orange flesh of California-grown apricots. Their differences are directly impacted by the way the drying process is carried out in each type of apricot. California apricots are halved before drying which results in more moisture being removed from the apricot. That method of drying gives the apricots a shriveled appearance. Turkish apricots are dried whole then pitted. Being dried whole helps them retain moisture resulting in a smoother, juicier fruit.

Nutritional Benefits of Turkish Apricots

It seems many people are counting calories, taking notice of the fat content in foods or watching the amount of sodium in the snack foods they select. You can be watching all of those things and enjoy Turkish apricots as a snack or as a flavor-enhancing ingredient in your healthy recipes. These tasty gems are a low-calorie snack option. They are practically fat-free and sodium-free. They contain no cholesterol and only 3% of the daily value of carbohydrates. However, it’s not what’s missing from the apricots you should be most excited about, but rather their nutritional value. Apricots are a good source of Vitamin A. They also contain Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin C. Dried apricots are a source of fiber, iron, calcium, potassium and protein.

Health Benefits of Turkish Apricots

Dried apricots support heart health, eye health, respiratory health and digestive health. The potassium in dried apricots helps build muscles and supports organs and tissues. It also aids in regulating blood pressure. Apricots can help fight anemia, increase hemoglobin production and help blood clot properly reducing the risk of excessive bleeding. Dried apricots contain boron which supports bone health and may reduce the occurrence of bone-related disorders such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Apricots contain antioxidants which can be beneficial to your overall health and general wellness.

Incorporating Turkish Apricots into a Healthy Diet

The sweet flavor of Turkish apricots makes them a delicious snack food eaten all by themselves. Knowing all their health benefits is reason enough to seek out multiple ways to use dried apricots as recipe ingredients. Dried apricots can be added to breakfast cereal, granola or oatmeal. They can enhance the deliciousness of baked goods such as cookies, cakes, muffins and bread. You can be as creative as you want when incorporating dried apricots into main course dishes. They pair well with chicken and pork.