Appricot

One of the most versatile fruits, common knowledge claims that the apricot was originally cultivated in China, till the Persians discovered it. There’s also dispute that it originated in Armenia since the fruit has been cultivated there since ancient times.

Scientifically known as Prunus Armeniaca, is a nutritious fruit belonging to the Rosacea family.

What MBG have now is the apricot from Australia. The best thing about apricots is that they are easy to grow in most warm or cold temperate climates. Most varieties need a moderate amount of chill in winter, but the fruit really develops flavor in areas where summers are relatively hot and dry. Southern Australia is perfect, but the trees do well in part of southern Queensland and low-chill selections can be grown with some success in the subtropics, with appropriate measures taken to control fruit fly. Most varieties are self-pollinating, they get heavier crops with a second variety planted nearby

How it looks like:
It is a small, orange colored fruit with a soft, tangy flesh and a thin skin. Apricots are typically yellow or orange in color with a slight red tinge on one side. Its taste lies somewhere between plums and peaches, fruits to which it is closely related. The seed is enclosed in the hard shell, often called a “stone”.
Apricot is a versatile fruit and can be enjoyed in many ways. 

The Taste:
Crunchy, mild sweet & sour but it will be sweeter when fully ripe (softer texture).
How to choose:
Choose apricots that are firm but not hard. Avoid fruit that is overly soft or contains bruises. Choose fruit based on the flavor and aroma rather than the appearance.

How to keep:
Once apricots are ripe, they should be stored in your fridge. An alternative is to store unripe apricots in your fridge and then remove them and allow them to ripen at room temperature. If possible, allow refrigerated apricots to come to room temperature to improve the flavor.

Health Benefits:
In fresh apricots, the highest level of vitamins is provided by vitamin A – 13% of the daily value in one fruit. This includes several beneficial carotenes, which release powerful antioxidants essential for maintaining your optimal vision, healthy skin and mucous membranes, and for protection against lung and mouth cancers.

Apricots also are a good source of vitamin C, known to ward off vision problems, promote healthy skin and mucous membranes, protect against lung and mouth cancers, and provide even freer radical-scavenging activity in your body. Flavonoids such as lutein and beta cryptoxanthins have such a high degree of benefits that they can actually help slow and even prevent age-related debilities and disease. Zeaxanthin, a carotenoid that absorbs into the retina, provides protective UV-filtering functions that may ultimately protect you against macular degeneration.

Order them online @ https://goo.gl/5R1wv4