National Apricot Day

The story

Did you know apricots have been around for over 4,000 years? First cultivated in northeastern China, these golden gems made their way west along the Silk Road, landing in Persia, where they were named zardaloo (“yellow plum”). The Persians wove apricots into both sweet and savory dishes, cementing their culinary legacy. Alexander the Great introduced apricots to Greece, and the Romans followed, naming them praecocum (“the precocious one”) for their early ripening. From there, apricots spread across Europe, becoming a royal delicacy. Arab expansion brought apricots to the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain, where they gained the name al-barqouq. Middle Eastern chefs created masterpieces with apricots, blending them into lamb stews, pastries, and syrups. One medieval recipe called for stuffing dried apricots with almonds and simmering them in honey, cinnamon, and saffron—a dish fit for kings. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers introduced apricots to the Americas, where they thrived in California’s warm climate. Spanish missionaries planted orchards along their routes, ensuring apricots flourished in the New World. Today, California produces most of the apricots found in U.S. supermarkets. And then there’s amardine, a Middle Eastern apricot delicacy that translates to “moon of the faith.” This sun-dried apricot paste, once made by crushing fruit underfoot, is now produced more hygienically in factories.