EastFruit team brings you 10 interesting facts about dried apricots in the culture of Tajikistan.
- Alternative Currency: In Tajikistan, dried apricots, known as “kuraga,” are so valuable that they are used as an alternative currency and a reliable means of savings.
- National Pride: Dried apricots are a source of national pride, with a turnover of over $100 million.
- Highest Orchards’ Concentration: About 10% of the world’s apricot orchards are concentrated in the Sughd region of northern Tajikistan.
- Protected Treasure: It’s illegal to cut down or uproot apricot trees in Tajikistan without special permission from a state commission.
- Monument to Apricots: Tajikistan has erected a monument to the apricot, highlighting its cultural significance.
- Varieties: More than 100 varieties of apricots are cultivated in Tajikistan, with almost all of them being local varieties – a true treasure of fruit genetics.
- Health Benefits: Apricot kernels contain amygdalin, a compound that has been researched for its potential cancer-fighting properties but consumption of large dose per day could be damaging to human health.
- Export Powerhouse: Tajikistan ranks among the top 12 exporters of dried apricots worldwide although real volumes of exports are difficult to estimate – many market participants suggest that they are much higher.
- Rural Income: Dried apricot production is a major source of income for rural communities in Tajikistan.
- Global Reach: Dried apricots from Tajikistan are exported to various countries, including Russia, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, India, and more.
You can watch how apricots are grown, dried and sold in Tajikistan in this video. We also showed and explained how dried apricots are processed and packaged in this video (both videos are in Russian language).
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