Apricots

These little balls of fruit originated in China. Summer is their season in Australia so now is the time to buy your apricots as their season only lasts a few short months! They are heavily sprayed so are one of the fruits you should really try to buy organic if possible.

They are extremely high in beta-carotene the precursor of vitamin A, they also contain good vitamin C and B vitamins. They are good sources of potassium, calcium and iron. They contain good levels of the trace minerals copper, manganese and zinc.

Dried apricots seem to have a higher concentration of vitamin A and these minerals. Make sure when you buy dried apricots you look for those that aren’t bright orange, but rather a blackish colour as they aren’t filled with chemical preservatives.

Apricots can be helpful for a dry throat, asthma and other lung conditions and when you are thirsty. They can be helpful in treating anemia too. Don’t eat too many if you are pregnant due to the Vitamin A content (although you would have to consume more than 5,000 of them in in a very short period of time). Also avoid if you have diarrhea.

I love eating fresh apricots at this time of year, but they are versatile in that they can be used in sweet or savoury dishes. Apricot chicken used to be a childhood favourite.