Many fruits in Armenia are reputed as symbols, though the apricot is most “armenian” among them.
French biologist De Poerderlé wrote: “The name of the tree (apricot) came from Armenia, where it's origin was and where from it was brought to Europe”.
The most popular version of origination of the fruit is that in the I-st century b.c. roman commander Lucullus called apricot an “Armenian apple” and brought it from Armenia to Roma. In any case it is known that the apricot tree appeared in Roman Empire and became wide spread after Roman-Parthian War. Later the historian Gaius Plinius the Elder, the founder of botany Pedanius Dioskorides and the writer on agriculture Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella mentioned apricot under name ''Armenian apple''.
The fact that apricot trees has been growing in the territory of Armenia more than 3000 years ago is proved by archeological excavations near Garni and in Shengavit, where apricot stones had been found.
The current latin, i.e. scientific name of the apricot «Prunus armeniaca», which means “armenian plum”, was introduced by French botanist, academician Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in 1700. The name reflects the notion about the motherland of the fruit.
Beside of divine taste apricot has variety of healthy features, due to which it is called “fruit of health”. Ancient Armenian physicians stated that apricot threats twelve deceases. The unique medical properties were described by distinguished medieval Armenian physician Amirdovlat Amasiatsi and Avicenna himself. The vitamins , magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and other valuable elements which contains apricot are good for fighting against heart, digestion system, liver, kidney and vessels deceases.
Apricot helps to support brain activity and memory, that is why is often advised to schoolchildren and students. The scientists proved that carotin contained in apricot safeguards the system against cancer. 5-6 fresh or 15-20 dried apricots per day satisfy the daily carotin demand of the system.
