Apricot Mythology
The ancient apricot has been cultivated since before the first writing. In fact, the fruit, which is thought to be native to Armenia, was grown in India as far back as 3,000 B.C. In Latin, apricot means “precious,” and is also considered one of mythology’s “golden apples.” Although the apricot largely disappeared from Europe after the decline of Rome, it was reintroduced to England by Henry VIII’s gardener. In England, apricots in dreams were thought to be lucky, while the apricot is treated as an aphrodisiac in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
