Chinese (Mormon) Apricot Tree

The Chinese Mormon Apricot, also known as a Sweet pit or Sweet Kernel Apricot, has a very limited history, but the era that it comes into popularity may reflect on why. It begins with the Gold Rush in California and ends up at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory with the driving of the Golden Spike to join the Transcontinental Railroad. The Apricot kernels have long been used in Chinese medicine to treat colds, coughs and stomach ailments. It also traces back to the Hunza population, using the sweet pit Apricots for eating and Bitter pits varieties for oils used in cooking and lighting. Although more recent research has cautioned against the use of the bitter pit Apricots for health purposes. This is due to the highly lethal chemical compound amygdalin and the difficulty in determining dosage. The Sweet pits selections are very low in amygdalin and not toxic. Cold hardy and widely adapted the Chinese Mormon Apricot has become very popular in cold country selection doing well where other apricot varieties fail. Good flavor and texture along with heavy production are all common features of this variety. Self-fruitful but can benefit from adding another variety to pollinate. Try the Golden Sweet as a pollinating partner. Late blooming helps to beat the cold weather, good for areas with late spring frosts. Ripens in early July