Kashmiri Dried Apricots (Khurmani)

Called 'Khurmani' in Kashmiri, these wild apricots grow on ancient trees in the high-altitude valleys of Kargil and Ladakh, where the thin mountain air and intense sunlight concentrate their natural sugars and nutrients to extraordinary levels. Unlike commercially farmed apricots, Kashmiri Khurmani are hand-harvested, naturally sun-dried for weeks on flat rooftop rocks, and contain no sulphur dioxide or artificial preservatives. They are an exceptional source of beta-carotene (converted to Vitamin A), iron, and potassium. In Kashmiri households, they are soaked in water overnight and consumed as a morning tonic for skin, eyes, and immunity.