About Swat Apricots
Apricot trees line many of Swat’s higher villages, and during summer the branches sag with bright orange fruit, The kernels inside are also prized and pressed for oil.
Why it's famous
Mountain apricots from Swat and neighbouring Chitral are considered among the best in South Asia for both eating fresh and drying.
Harvest season
June – July
Where it grows
Kalam, Bahrain, Ushu
Growing areas
Common uses
- 1Fresh eating
- 2Sun-dried apricots (khubani)
- 3Apricot kernel oil
- 4Jam and squash
Fun fact
Locals split dried apricots in winter and add the sweet kernels to tea and rice dishes.
At the stall
In season
The usual window is June – July. A warm or late year can move it by a couple of weeks.
How to buy
Choose fruit that smells like itself and feels heavy for its size. Avoid anything crushed or leaking.
Use fresh
Eat or cook it close to the day you buy it. Mountain fruit loses aroma quickly once it sits.
FAQs about Swat Apricots
When is Swat Apricots season in Swat?+
June – July. The weeks move with the weather, so a warm or late spring can shift the harvest.
Where does Swat Apricots grow in Swat?+
Swat Apricots is grown around Kalam, Bahrain, Ushu. Places people name most often: Kalam, Bahrain, Ushu, Matiltan.
What is Swat Apricots called locally?+
In Swat bazaars the fruit is widely known as Khubani.
What is Swat Apricots used for?+
Fresh eating. Sun-dried apricots (khubani). Apricot kernel oil. Jam and squash.
Are Swat Apricots from Swat organic?+
Spray use varies by orchard. Ask the grower if you want fruit grown with little or no spray. This page does not certify any fruit as organic.
