Posted on 01/09/2025 9:16:30 AM PST by Red Badger
NATIONAL APRICOT DAY
Apricot lovers from all over the United States observe National Apricot Day every year on January 9th.
#NationalAprcotDay
Related to the peach, the apricot's velvety flesh is quite similar. However, the texture of the golden-orange fruit is firmer, and the flavor more tart than its cousin's. Since we easily preserve the apricot, we enjoy this versatile fruit all year long - fresh, canned, and dried.
Apricots are found the world over but originated in northeastern China near the Russian border in ancient times. Later, the fruit was introduced to Europe and Armenia. The apricot found its way to North America when English colonists settled in Virginia. Apricots traveled further west when Spanish explorers and missionaries brought them on expeditions. This migration caused apricots to be grown commercially today.
The apricot tree can grow to 45 feet if left unpruned. It produces white, pink, or red blossoms and is a winter-hardy tree. However, early frosts can damage the fruit.
Fresh apricots pack in the nutrients. A 1 cup serving of apricot halves contains 60% of the daily allowance of Vitamin A and 26% of the daily allowance for Vitamin C. Other vitamins in this low-calorie snack include Vitamin B-6, Magnesium, Iron, and Calcium, and is also an excellent source of fiber.
With its unique flavor, the apricot is a versatile ingredient lending itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Perfect for snacking, apricots are the best fresh off the tree but are also found in markets year-round. Dried, they are delicious in healthy granola or a salad.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL APRICOT DAY
The best way to celebrate is by eating an apricot. Whether you enjoy preserves or bake up your favorite recipes, be sure to invite someone to enjoy it with you. We've even supplied delicious recipes for you to try.
Consider planting an apricot tree in the spring or exploring and learning about apricot growers in your area. Buying local, when possible, support the growers in your area.
Have some apricots and use #NationalApricotDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL APRICOT DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to explore the source of this fresh and naturally delicious holiday which has been observed since at least 2003.
Apricot FAQ
Q. Can apricots be added to baking?
A. Yes! Like many fruits, apricots add their own sweet flavor to many recipes.
Q. Is there an apricot ice cream?
A. You can find several recipes online for apricot ice cream. Which one will you chose?
Q. Where do apricots grow?
A. Since there are many varieties of apricots, there is one for every growing zone in the United States. However, late frosts can impact production in some areas.
Q. Can I dehydrate apricots?
A. Yes. When dried, apricots take on a chewy form. They are also available in grocery stores.
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Memorable Birthdays for January 9
John Porter Hatch (1822-1901) - Union General during the Civil War.
John Knowles Paine (1839-1906) - The first American-born composer to achieve fame worldwide.
Jennie Jerome (1854-1921) - American-born mother of Winston Churchill.
Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) - Founder of the League of Women Voters and International Alliance of Women.
Joseph Strauss (1870-1938) - Chief engineer and co-designer of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875-1972) - Founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Lloyd Loar (1886-1943) - Instrument designer known for his design work with the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Richard Nixon (1913-1994) - The 37th President of the U.S.
Bob Denver (1935-2005) - Actor fondly remembered as Gilligan on Gilligan's Island.
Jimmy Boyd (1940-2009) - American singer of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.
Joan Baez (1941-Still Living) - Singer, songwriter, guitarist and activist.
Ian Hornak (1944-2002) - Artist who is credited as the first Photorealist artist to incorporate multiple exposure photography into his works.
Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues (1965-Still Living) - The shortest player (5 feet 3 inches) ever to play in the NBA.
Memorable Events for January 9
1493 - Christopher Columbus mistakes manatees for mermaids.
1788 - Connecticut becomes the 5th state to join the Union.
1793 - Jean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first person in the U.S. to fly in a hot air balloon.
1894 - The New England Telephone and Telegraph installs the first battery-operated telephone switchboard.
1903 - Wind Cave National Park is established in SD.
1942 - The Joint Chiefs of Staff is created.
1952 - The Marines recall MLB player Ted Williams to active duty.
1962 - NASA announces plans to build a rocket launch vehicle to carry human beings to the Moon.
2007 - Apple introduces the iPhone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY iPhone!........................
My grandparents grew apricots in California’s Central valley. Nothing better than picking a ripe apricot off of a tree and eating it right there!
Love them but the supermarket ones are never any good.
Same with peaches in The South!...................
"Siri, when is the birthday of the iPhone?" "I'll need to access your iTunes account. Is that okay?" "Why do you need to access my iTunes account?" "I can't answer your question at this time." [imagined, but from the whole cloth]
The timing on this is really bad. Apricots do not ripen for a number of months from now. I could see this being apricot jelly day. Or dried apricot day. But there really is no reason this should be apricot day..
Chilean Apricots!.............
Ok. But then it is International Apricot Day
Most of the ‘fresh’ fruit in our grocery stores this time of year comes from South of the border........Waaaay south!.......
Agreed—decades ago I was renting a house in Newport Beach that had an apricot tree.
It was like eating candy—tastes nothing like what you get in the supermarket.
We used to know a Chilean fruit importer. Thanks to him, we were the lucky recipients of cherries in January. 😋
I’m not wild about cherries.......😉
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