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The gorgeous yellowish and orange apricots have a pretty diverse taste, ranging from sweet to a bit tart. It’s not just the taste that’s good, either.
Apricots are incredibly nutritious and make for great seasonal fruit. They are rich in Vitamin A and C, fiber, and beta-carotene.
The health benefits of apricots are numerous, though most people don’t really bother to do their research about them.
Apricots are an excellent source of antioxidant activity and result in direct improvements to eye health, digestion, hydration, diabetes, and can also help with cardiac disease prevention.
As mentioned above, it’s a fantastic fruit with lots of benefits. Above all, it tastes wonderful!
The season of the canning of fruits and vegetables starts at the end of the summer months.
One of the most popular byproducts of this season is the homemade apricot nectar. You don’t even have to buy inorganic nectar from the stores!
The recipe is simple and requires no additional ingredients. It involves water, apricots, sugar, and lemon juice. Apricot nectar can be used in various dishes and really adds a powerful taste to any dish in which it is used.
After simmering and passing the apricot through a sieve, you have to add sugar and lemon. Then comes the process of canning. Can them carefully and put them away to enjoy all winter long.
However, are you looking for other options than apricot nectar? What if you don’t have enough left? Thankfully, there are quite a few apricot nectar substitutes that you can choose from. Let’s talk about them.
Is apricot juice and nectar the same?
Although the term is interchangeably used, there is a slight difference between the two. The apricot juice contains 100% of the fruit pulp, whereas the nectar is usually diluted because of the higher concentration.
The nectar is thicker than the fruit juice, and you cannot consume it directly (unlike fruit juice). So, the nectar is diluted, and it contains pulp, sugar, water, and other additives, which gives it a much sharper taste.
Some fruits like apricots have an acidic pulp, and their nectar cannot be sold without any additives. Otherwise, the chances of the nectar going bad are quite high.
It’s one reason why apricot nectar has to be canned so thoroughly to ensure that there is no chance of the liquid going bad.
So, which one can you drink? If you are diet conscious and looking for a 100% pure drink, go for fruit juice.
The apricot nectar has additional sweeteners that make it a less appropriate dietary choice. More importantly, the highly concentrated nectar doesn’t even make for a good drink.
Apricot Nectar Substitute
Apricots belong to the Prunus genus. It is a stone fruit containing a giant seed in the middle. Now, here’s a list of apricot nectar substitute you can use in your daily life.
1. Canned peaches
If you do not have apricot nectar, canned peaches are a great alternative. It is often believed that canned items lose their original nutrients, but the results are heavily exaggerated.
However, this belief is far from true in this case. Research shows that canned peaches are an even better source of Vitamin C than fresh ones!
This is because the cell walls of canned fruit have opened, and thus, they can directly provide more nutrients.
Peaches, like apricots, have a mixed taste of sweetness and acidity. They can prove to be a suitable substitute, especially the canned ones.
However, you should know that canned peaches aren’t exactly similar in texture as compared to the nectar, so that’s something you will have to work your way around.
2. Peach puree or peach nectar
If canned peaches are not an option for you, another choice is to buy some peaches and make a puree.
The process of making peach puree is simple, and you can even give this to babies by using some breastmilk during the weaning process.
Peaches have similar health benefits to apricots. They are an excellent source of antioxidants and improve digestion, prevent heart problems and cancer. They also have great taste, so you are definitely going to like them.
Not ready for all the hassle involved in making the peach puree? Buy a bottle of peached puree from your local supermarket.
Besides, if you are looking for another nectar, peach nectars are readily available and can prove excellent substitutes.
It’s a pretty simple idea. If you are looking only to consume organic stuff, you may have to pay a bit more since organic items are generally more expensive from your local supermarket.
3. Pureed dried apricots
Dried apricots have a host of fantastic nutrients, just like fresh apricots but without all the water content. They are rich in nutrients like iron, potassium, and Vitamin A and C.
So, you can make its puree and use it instead of apricot nectar. Dried apricots are readily available from local supermarkets, so they are readily available. You can even buy them online.
4. Pear juice or puree
Another alternative on our list is pear juice. It has anti-inflammatory, digestive properties and offers various heart health benefits. Pear tastes sweet when ripe; otherwise, they might have a mild taste.
You can make pear puree and use it as a substitute for apricot nectar. If you are not in the mood for going through the hassle of making the pear juice all by yourself, it’s always a good idea to buy some from a local store.
If you know of an artisan fruit place, you may want to check there as well. Many such stores make it easy for customers to buy their pear juice or puree as well.
It might be a bit costly, but it will be organic and readily available!
5. Apple juice
The flavorful apple juice is unlike any other kind of juice you may have had. It has a unique taste and offers a bunch of health benefits.
Apple juice is highly hydrating and acts as a preventive agent against heart and brain issues.
Concerning taste and health benefits, apple juice is an excellent substitute for apricot nectar as well, especially since it has that sharp tinge that you might be looking for.
If you plan on using the apricot nectar in a recipe and are looking for a viable alternative, apple juice might be just what you need.
6. Mango nectar
The king of fruits has sweet and sour nectar that can make for a fantastic apricot nectar substitute. It is not often used but has antioxidant and digestive properties like apricots.
You can find apricot nectar substitutes in many forms. Pick the option that matches your need, is readily available, and also falls within your budget.
Keep in mind that mango nectar is not easy to produce, and as such, most companies and artisanal fruit places usually charge a higher amount for mango nectar when compared with other dishes.
As peaches and apricots belong to the same Prunus genus, they have similar properties. Fruits are a source of multiple nutrients, and you must incorporate them into your daily diet.
If you don’t like eating fruits, consuming fresh juices is always a good idea.
These are just some of the most common alternatives to apricot nectar that you can buy.
It’s going to be difficult to narrow down your options because all of them do well depending upon the kind of dish you are making.
Like with most dishes, it all boils down to trial and error. A little bit of it will be enough to help you figure out the best option for your needs depending upon the cuisine you are working on.
