National Apricot Day
When is National Apricot Day? This holiday is always observed on January 9
Are you hungry? Satisfy your hunger with an apricot or two. The fruit is small. So, you can have a couple of pieces without overeating. It is a fruit that is delicious, sweet, nutritious, and healthy for you. This good-looking, somewhat tart fruit, is all of that and more. And, today is the perfect day to indulge in this fantastic fruit. It’s National Apricot Day. On this January 9 holiday, we are encouraged to enjoy plenty of colorful and flavorful apricots in a variety of ways, to satisfy your taste buds as it satisfies your hunger pains.
Humans have enjoyed eating apricots for thousands of years. Native to China, the first recording of their discovery dates back to around 4,000 B.C. Yes, that’s over six thousand years ago! But, ancient Chinese were likely consuming apricots tens of thousands of years before Man even began recordings on the wall of his cave. That was 40,0000 years ago. While this delicious fruit originated in China, However, like other good things, you can’t keep it away from the rest of the world. Over thousands of years, apricot trees spread their limbs westward. Their migration to the Mediterranean region and Europe was aided by merchant traders traveling the Silk Road and other trade routes. Along the way, they traded some of the seeds. Today, the trees grow on every continent, except Antarctica.
While this amazing fruit has been feeding us for many thousands of years, National Apricot Day has been around for just a scant few years. But as you enjoy this fruit today, simply be thankful that the holiday is here.
Have it Your Way
There are a lot of different fruits both in the U.S. and around the world. And, they are all delicious. When compared to other fruits, apricots are far from the most popular fruit. We researched several reports and studies ranking the most popular fruits. The rankings all varied somewhat. However, no study ranked apricots among the top 20 in popularity.
Here are some of the ways you can enjoy their sweet and distinctive flavor:
- Eat them fresh and raw.
- Enjoy them as a dried fruit.
- There is no shortage of recipes that include them among the ingredients.
- Try them baked or roasted.
- Jams and jellies are delicious on your toast or English muffins.
- Apricot juice is available in the market. Or, you can fresh-squeeze the juice when in season.
- Try them in a cocktail. Margaritas anyone!?
- Don’t forget to ask for apricot ice cream when you go to your favorite ice cream shop.
The History of Apricots
Apricots have a long history. They are native to the China-Russia border region. Around 4,000 B.C. they were first discovered in China. Dial forward another 1,000 years, and ancient Armenians were growing them around 3,000 B.C. By 2,000 B.C. the Chinese had domesticated the trees in their gardens.
You can readily see how it spread westward from China to the Mediterranean and Europe over a few thousand years. Trade merchants played a major role in bringing apricot trees westward. By 60 B.C. the trees were growing in Greece. Romans began growing them in Italy at about the same time. In the 13th Century, Marco Polo likely brought some back as he traveled the Silk Road from China to Europe.
French and Spanish explorers brought them to the New World in the 1500s to 1700s.
Now, you find apricot trees producing this tasty fruit on every continent except Antarctica.
Medicinal Uses for Apricots
Apricots are healthy for you. And, they have medicinal uses, too. Both the fruit and the kernel (the seed inside of the pit) have medicinal applications.
Among them are:
- They protect the liver.
- It has antiaging potential.
- They boost gut health.
- There are anticancer properties.
- They contain antioxidants.
- Apricots can help to protect the kidneys.
- It can relieve chest pain from angina.
- It helps to lower cholesterol.
Apricot Trivia and Fun Facts
Amaze your friends with this apricot trivia and fun facts.
- Apricots originated in China. Now, they are grown on every continent except Antarctica.
- While they are smaller than a peach, the pit is larger than a peach pit.
- Europeans consider them an aphrodisiac.
- They are members of the rose family.
- In 2022, 3.86 million tons of apricots were produced worldwide
- California produces 95% of commercial apricot production in the United States.
- The trees bear fruit for just 20 to 25 years. As a result, it is not popular with home gardeners.
- Dwarf trees grow up to 10 feet tall. Standard varieties grow up to 25 feet tall.
- The trees can live up to 150 years.
- After landing on the moon’s surface in 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts snacked on apricot bars.
How to Celebrate National Apricot Day
National Apricot Day is destined to be a fun-filled food holiday. Here are some ways you can participate:
- Eat apricots.
- Count how many ways you eat them today.
- Bake something with them.
- Bake apricot muffins and bring them to work to share with your coworkers.
- Have an apricot cocktail.
- Enjoy some apricot ice cream.
- Buy an Apricot Tree and plant it in your backyard. There are smaller swarf varieties for smaller yards.
- Take pictures of your fun day and post it on social media.
Today's Uplifting Quote
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” – – Anthony J. D’Angelo
History and Origin of National Apricot Day
We traced this holiday back to at least 2013. There were many references to this holiday in 2013, including Facebook posts. We also found a single reference stating this holiday was created in 1990. However, there was no other documentation to back it up. Unfortunately, the creator of this holiday is unknown. So, we cannot ask the creator more about National Apricot Day.
We do not know why this is a January 9 holiday. January is the middle of the winter. It is not harvest season. And, it’s not time to plant a tree in your yard. So, why this holiday is in January is a mystery.
All of the earliest references to this holiday call it “National” Apricot Day. However, we did not find a Presidential proclamation or act of Congress declaring this a true National Day.
Definition of “National” Days – Learn why it is important to identify and distinguish true “national” days.
This Day in History
In addition to National Apricot Day, here are some things that happened on this day:
- The television game show “Wheel of Fortune” premieres. (1975)
- Dave Matthews, singer, band leader, songwriter “Dave Matthews Band” was born on this day in (1967)
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