Apricot nectar is a thick, syrupy juice made from apricots. It can be used in recipes, mixed with water, or consumed on its own. Apricots are a healthy fruit, rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, and fiber. Apricot nectar is available year-round in cans or glass bottles.
Apricot nectar is the juice of one apricot. The word nectar may be used to describe this type of fruit juice because apricots aren’t very juicy, so their juice tends to be thicker than most fruit juices. Nectar typically refers to a sweet, syrupy liquid, while juice is thin and runny. Apricot juice or nectar can be drunk on its own or used in food and drink recipes.
Tasting a bit like a peach but not quite as sweet, apricots are a small, round, fleshy fruit that grows heartily in the pleasant climates of California, South Australia and the Mediterranean. Juice is a thick liquid obtained by squeezing or pulverizing the fruit to squeeze everything out. Because apricot nectar is syrupy, it is commonly mixed with water to make it easier to drink. Sugar is sometimes added, but isn’t necessary as apricots already have some level of fruity sweetness.
Cooking with apricot nectar is common, and recipes for breads, cakes, and muffins may call for this thick liquid. Apricots and their juice are popular additions to fruit smoothies, salad dressings, frozen treats and mixed drinks. The sweet nectar can replace the sweetener in baked goods recipes, and the syrupy juice can also be used to add moisture to dry ingredients. Apricot preserves sometimes contain juice or nectar for taste and texture.
Apricots offer a number of health benefits, and drinking apricot nectar can be a healthy alternative to other fruit juices, especially those with lots of added sugar. The juice can be drunk straight or in a smoothie or shaken as a healthy snack or breakfast drink. Frozen apricot nectar can be made into sherbet to make a healthy dessert. Sugar can be added to some brands of nectar in the store, so it is advisable to read the label when buying this juice for health reasons.
The beta-carotene found in apricots and their juice can help fight heart disease. This fruit is also packed with vitamins A and C and chock-full of fiber. Vitamin A is thought to encourage good eye health, and both A and C offer powerful, disease-fighting antioxidants, including cancer. Research has shown that fiber-rich fruits like apricots help promote good digestive health.
Farmers markets and grocery stores sell fresh apricots when they’re in season. This fruit grows best during the summer in North America and Australia and during the winter in South America and New Zealand. Supermarkets and health food stores sell apricot nectar all year round. The nectar usually comes in cans or glass bottles and is typically displayed with other fruit juices.
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