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Dried apricots are dried fruit of the apricot tree.
Apricots have been cultivated in Central Asia since antiquity, and dried ones were an important commodity on the Silk Road. They could be transported over huge distances due to their long shelf life. Before the 20th century, they were ubiquitous in the Ottoman Empire, , and .
In more recent times, California was the largest producer, before being overtaken by Turkey, The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink (ed. Andrew F. Smith). Oxford University Press, 2007. . Page 22. where about 95% of the dried apricot production is provided by the Malatya Province.
Small apricots are normally dried whole. Larger varieties are dried in halves, without the apricot kernels or stone. In the former Soviet Union, the former are known as uryuk (урюк), used primarily for making kompot, and the latter as kuraga (курага). Mediterranean or Turkish varieties of dried apricots are typically dried whole and then pitted; whereas California varieties are halved and pitted before drying. In Iran they are called (Persian language: قیسی), gheysi or qaisy.
When treated with sulfur dioxide (SO₂), the color is vivid orange color. Organic fruit not treated with sulfur vapor is darker in color and has a coarser texture. Generally, the lighter the color, the higher the SO2 content.
Ethnic foods based on dried apricots include qubani ka meetha in India and chamoy in Mexico.
Dried apricots are an important source of carotenoids (vitamin A) and potassium. Due to their high dietary fiber-to-volume ratio, they are sometimes used to relieve constipation or induce diarrhea.Karin Cadwell, Edith White. The Natural Laxative Cookbook. Sterling Pub Co Inc, 1995. . Page 17. Dried apricots normally do not have any sugar added and have a low glycemic index. The maximum moisture rate allowed in Turkey is 25%.
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