SHAMS - Stone fruits

The Dr. Fayez Sabri Jaber Farms are not only a source of great olive oil, they are also the home of a wide range of the SHAMS produce - stone fruits grown under the same rigorous scrutiny that made our olives so successful.

Our stone fruit selection comprises peaches, nectarines and apricots of several different varieties. We chose the most appropriate varieties that are best suited for the climate in the region to ensure continuing and sustainable growth of fruits with exquisite taste. Of key importance to our commitment to great taste and quality is the fact that we are offering from early to late varieties, the fruits are handpicked and packaged for transport on our farm.

Shams have a well-established reputation amongst the stone fruits market in the Kingdom, in fact the brand is not only recognized, but has become a house-hold name.

Origins of the Apricot

As a result of centuries of cultivation, the origin of the apricot fruit is often disputed. Various different theories have placed its roots in China, India, Armenia and Japan. Due to the particularly long history of cultivation in Armenia, and the role this country (at the time an Asian province) played at trading it along the route of the Silk Road, the fruit acquired the binomial name of “Prunus armeniaca”, or Armenian Plum. In Latin, the fruit was known as “malum praecoquum”, or “peach before ripening”.

The introduction of the apricot to Greece, and subsequently Europe, is often attributed to Alexander the Great. The legendary Roman General Lucius Lucullus is also alleged to have brought apricot trees with him from his military expeditions in central Asia. Over the centuries, the apricot began to be cultivated in subtropical, continental and Mediterranean climates, the latter providing especially good conditions for the apricot trees to flourish. Due to the wide array of climates in which this plant can grow, apricot trees can be found in various countries of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Nutritional Information

• Apricots are rich in both Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Consumption of these fruits also adds iron, potassium, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus to our diet.
• The nutritional benefit of the apricot is enhanced by the fact that they are low in fat, calories and sodium.
• Although dried apricots are higher in calories as a result of the increased sugar content, they are still excellent sources of iron and potassium.
• The high amounts of Vitamin A, or more specifically beta-carotene, mean that, if consumed regularly, these fruits can aid in keeping the skin, gums, various glands and the immune system strong and healthy.
• The mix of compounds present in apricots is also believed to contribute to preventing and combating cardiovascular conditions.

Storing and Handling Apricots

• The apricot is far less sensitive than the peach and tends to be firm and plump when harvested from the tree in the right manner and at the appropriate time.
• If the fruit needs to be ripened, it can be, just as the peach or nectarine, stored in a paper bag at room temperature.