Today, January 9th, is National Apricot Day.

Classed as a type of plum, the apricot has been a cultivated fruit tree for an unknown length of time. The fruit is a drupe - it has a fleshy outer part surrounding an internal stone - and is yellow to orange in colour. The surface is smooth or velvety, and the flesh is quite firm, and can range in taste from sweet to tart.

Apricots are a common dried fruit, and the dried fruit can be widely available all year round. Medicinally, dried apricots can be used to relieve constipation.

Image: Morguefile