The fruit was cultivated extensively in prehistoric times. Domestic cultivation in China dates back over 3,000 years ago.
By 600 BC apricots were a major staple in China, eaten fresh, dried, salt-cured or smoked.
European cultivation is only a relatively recent phenomenon dating back approximately two thousand years.
From Asia, apricot spread to Asia Minor and was introduced to Europe through Greece and Italy by the Romans over 2000 years ago.
It was brought to England in the 13th century. Apricot was introduced into North America by English travelers and by Spanish missionaries into California in 1720.
Origin of apricot
