Apricots were originally grown in China. They arrived in the Arabian Peninsula with the Persians and quickly became extremely popular. At one time, Damascus, Syria, produced more than twenty-one different kinds of apricots. Twelve of them became extinct, and currently only nine varieties are produced. They are still considered to be superior quality by people in the Arab world. The Arabic term for dried apricot, q’amr din, literally translates as “moon of faith.” In Arabian countries, dried fruits were traditionally reserved for Ramadan. After a long day’s fast, nothing is more refreshing than sweet apricot juice, and making it
from scratch is very easy. This is a fun project for kids. When I was a child, I remember being particularly fond of one of my aunts who always offered me apricot juice when I went to her home.