Apricots are small, golden orange colored fruits which are related to peaches and plums. They have a muskiness and tartness that is even more pronounced when the fruit is dried. Apricots are not only enjoyed as a fresh fruit, but are frequently cooked into pastries, eaten as jam, and the juices distilled for use in brandies and liqueurs.

Although apricots are originally from China, they arrived in the western hemisphere via Armenia. In fact, the apricot was so closely associated with Armenia that it received the scientific name of Prunus armenaica. Today, Turkey, Italy, Russia, Spain, Greece, America, and France are the leading growers of apricots.

Apricots are very rich in beta-carotene, a Vitamin A precursor, and Vitamin C, both antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce "bad cholesterol" levels and help protect against cancer. In traditional Chinese medicine, apricots are considered helpful in regenerating bodily fluids, detoxifying, and quenching thirst.

Encore Fruit Marketing can provide an excellent source of apricot puree concentrate to help consumer products deliver one of the 5 A Day fruit servings.

Apricot puree concentrate is carefully processed from fresh, ripened apricots to provide the essential nutrition and color, in a convenient, ready to use ingredient form for processed beverage and food applications. Apricot puree concentrate is an excellent ingredient to add a fruit serving to your retail label for beverages, cakes, pies, pastries, sauces, jellies and other processed foods like nutrition bars and snacks.

Contact Encore Fruit Marketing today for product samples and information on apricot puree concentrate at www.encorefruit.com or Click Here to use our convenient Contact Form.