Apricot Juice: How to Prepare It And Health Benefits
Apricot is a generally lovely fruit that can be enjoyed raw, cooked, dried, or even as juice. This all-around fruit has an incredible range of health benefits, and one of the most effective ways to get the best out of it is by juicing.
To get the best juice out of it, you have to remove the fruit’s stone and ensure that the apricots are completely ripe, or the juice might end up undrinkable.
For a healthy and thirst-quenching break, you can take some delicious homemade apricot juice. It is straightforward to make, and you don’t have to add preservatives to enjoy it in winter as one of the best fruits offered by summer. Also, because apricot juice is usually thick, you can include apple dilute or a citrus fruit if you want.
How to Make Apricot Juice?
Preparing apricot juice is a very easy process. Just like other canning, the juice takes a while to prepare, which is worth it.
You need a very huge stockpot to contain the nectar. This is if you are using quart-sized containers to put them. However, if what you are using are smaller jars, then a standard sized stockpot will do. Just ensure that your jars are totally covered with steaming water when they are being processed.
The juice is typically taken over a tumbler of ice. This means you place it on ice for about 10 minutes, so it gets icy and thinner. An alternative is to add a small amount of water to it before taking it because it’s usually thick.
The beautiful thing concerning having a prepared apricot juice in the house is that it can be used for several other things, such as apricot syrup used for pancakes.
Ingredients
- 4, 1-quart tumbler canning jars plus lids (ensure that the containers have been appropriately sanitized)
- 26 cups of apricots, halved, washed, and with pits completely removed
- 7 cups of water
- 2 cups of raw, canned sugar
- 4 teaspoons of lemon juice
Instructions
- Fill a huge canning pot with water till it gets to ⅔ of the pot. Cover it and get ready to boil it while you go ahead to make the nectar.
- Put water and the apricots in a huge stockpot. Leave to boil and reduce the heat level to medium. The simmering should last for half an hour, or till the apricots fruits are entirely soft, have broken down.
- Sieve the water/apricot mixture. While doing this, you’ll push the apricots using a spoon, gathering the liquid and puree in a big bowl. You should continue pushing all the apricots all the way through the sifter until they stop looking wet and glossy (as you stir, the puree has to stop dropping from the sifter). You wouldn’t want to force the apricots all the way through as soon as it’s no longer coming through quickly. The excessive puree will make your juice have a brownish look. That’s why you should whisk until it’s smooth.
- Arrange your canning containers and pour in ½ cup of sugar and lemon juice (1 tablespoon).
- Fill up each jar to the bottom of the neckline with the water/apricot mixture. Mix each container until the sugar is entirely dissolved.
- Clean the lips of each container to be certain that there are no remains because if there are, the containers will be difficult to open after the process. Place lids over all the containers and close them tightly.
- As soon as the water in the canning jar has begun boiling, put each container in the jar and simmer for about 20 minutes (ensure that the containers are completely well-placed in the water).
- After the 20 minutes wait, carefully take out the jars from the hot water and put them on a wipe. Let them cool off completely, then press down on their lids to ensure they have been appropriately sealed. You’ll know if the lids are correctly closed if they do not press in easily.
- You can pour your juice over a large glass of ice and allow it to spend about 10 minutes before enjoying it. You can choose to add water if you want to drink it immediately.
Health Benefits of Apricot Juice
Healthy Hair and Skin
Apricots juice is rich with vitamin C. This helps you improve your skin elasticity and keep your hair glossy and strong.
Healthy Bones
Apricot juice includes a high amount of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, and manganese, which are essential for keeping your bones strong. It also helps fight against age-related bone diseases like osteoporosis.
High Fiber
The fiber content in fruits is often lost when juiced, but the case differs from apricot juice. The juice retains most of its fiber, which helps relieve constipation.
Great for the Heart
Apricots are helpful in protecting your heart from diseases like atherosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks. Its Vitamin C content helps fight harmful free radicals, while its potassium relaxes the arteries and blood vessels to lower the blood pressure.
Could Prevent Cancer
Apricot juice can prevent cancer due to its carotenoids and antioxidants in it, which helps the body fight free radicals that often cause cancer. Apricot juice also contains lycopene, which is a different substance that fights against cancer.
Maintains Healthy Blood
Anemia is a pervasive issue, mostly in women. Apricot contains copper and iron, which helps the body create hemoglobin. Apricot juice is also helpful in alleviating symptoms of anemia, such as weakness, fatigue, light-headedness, and problems with digestion.
Great for the Eyes
Apricot carries zeaxanthin, lutein, and carotenoids, which helps to keep the eyes healthy. Some researches show that muscle degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma can be decreased by taking apricot juice.
Healthy Brain Function
The phosphorus and magnesium present in apricots help improve the brain function and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Helps Relieve Morning Sickness
Several pregnant women have to endure morning sickness daily, but by consistently taking apricot juice that regular nausea and indigestion can be relieved. It also provides extra vitamins, calcium, antioxidants, and iron that help a healthy pregnancy.
Could be Helpful for Aging Issues
Eating the apricot fruit or drinking apricot juice generally may help healthier and longer life, due to its anti-aging Vitamin A nutrient.
