How to Use Apricot Kernels: 2 Ideas

By Apricot Power
Apricot Seeds

Apricot seeds, also known as apricot kernels, are found inside the hard pit at the center of the apricot. These seeds contain their fair share of nutritious compounds such as vitamin A, magnesium, potassium and iron, as well as a compound called amygdalin, which is used to support a healthy immune system. Amygdalin, is commonly found in the seeds of rose fruits such as apricots, apples, and almonds. It is commonly referred to as vitamin B17. But that’s not all — amygdalin is found in over 1200 different foods, many of which are in our everyday common diets. Studies have found that amygdalin may boost immunity, reduce blood pressure and relieve pain. When it comes to Apricot Power products, approximately 20mg of amygdalin is in each apricot kernel. Here are some ideas for how to use apricot kernels to gain from their nutritious benefits:

#1: Eat Them As Is

You can safely eat apricot seeds raw. In fact, the Egyptian culture has a traditional snack called dokka, made from crushed apricot seeds mixed with coriander and salt. To eat apricot seeds fresh, slice open an apricot and take out the pit. Once the pit has been taken out, use a nutcracker to crack the pit open. There should be one apricot seed inside. If you want to eat more than one apricot seed and don't have enough apricots (or don't want to exert the effort necessary to remove it from a full fruit), you can buy both apricot pits and apricot seeds on our website. Our apricot seeds are air-dried in the pits, then shelled, sorted, and packaged.

How to Use Apricot Kernels: Sweet Spicy Munch Snack

Apricot seeds can be a bit of an acquired taste, bitter to the uninitiated. The bitterness is used to indicate the amount of vitamin B17 in the seed. Usually the bitterness level of the seeds is an indicator of higher levels of amygdalin inside the seeds. If you're just getting started with eating apricot seeds, you can mask the bitter taste with our recipe for a sweet spicy munch snack. However, remember to keep your serving of apricot seeds within the recommended daily amount. Specifically, we recommend consuming no more than 3 seeds per hour, up to 10 seeds per day. Other sources say that 8 kernels per day are the recommended amount, while the European Food Safety Authority recommends keeping your intake to only 3 apricot seeds per day to reduce the risk of cyanide poisoning. If you notice any unwanted side effects, such as dizziness, headache, or an upset stomach, it may be an indicator that you're consuming seeds to fast.

#2: Add Apricot Kernels as a Seasoning to Other Dishes

Apricot seeds can also be added as a flavoring to dishes. Europeans will often put a seed in their jam or jelly to enhance the flavor, while Italians put crushed apricot seeds in their famous Amaretti di Saronno cookies. Apricot seeds resemble almonds and have a similar flavor to them. Aside from the nutty flavor, apricot seeds can add a little crunch to both your sweet and savory dishes. We share several recipes on our blog, from dishes you expect to encounter apricot seeds, and those that you probably don't (such as eggnog)!

Final Thoughts: How to Use Apricot Kernels: 2 Ideas

Apricot seeds certainly have nutritional value, but remember to eat them in the recommended daily amount. There are several ways to incorporate apricot kernels in your diet: including to add flavoring for both sweet and savory dishes. Check out our shop to purchase the raw materials for your next dish featuring apricot kernels.   Any information contained herein is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Articles and websites linked herein are not endorsed by and do not necessarily represent the views held by Apricot Power Inc.