Nearly every household in the fruit-growing region of Himachal grows apricots. They are not cultivated on commercial lines like apples but are organically grown mainly for domestic use. Of all the summer fruits, apricots are the first to arrive and this versatile fruit is put to numerous uses. They are nutritious and are consumed raw or dried and stored for the winter months. But above all, the seeds are pressed to extract a non-greasy oil that is used for cooking and body massage. The sweet seeds are also consumed as a snack and the bitter variety seeds are grounded with mint leaves to make a delicious chutney. Ever since I read about the Hunza tribe and the benefits of their apricot rich diet, I have started to admire this humble fruit.
However I’m surprised to read that the apricot has a deadly interior and the seeds are poisonous! For this reason they are banned in the USA. I don’t know how much of this is true. Perhaps some one would shed more light on this, but as for me, I have just finished dispatching this summers last batch of apricots and I have gorged myself on the seeds all summer long without any ill effects.