Apricots - Import export

is obtained from the fruits of the apricot tree. The origin of the apricot tree is in China. The Romans brought it to the Mediaterranean region. Since the 18th century the tree has been cultivated in the USA. The harvest in Europe is in july. The apricot tree reaches a hight of three to four meters. Its fruits are round and four to eight cm big. The fruits are light yellow to orange red. Its kernels are hard and ovally shaped. The oil content of the kernels is 40% to 50%. To obtain the apricot kernel oil the fruits must be picked and the fruit flesh must be removed. The remaining kernels must be cleaned, split and the seeds extracted. Finally the seeds get pressed. The obtained oil is light yellow to yellow, tastes and smells nutty, like marzipan. It has a high content of essential fatty acid residues, vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids.