Ladakhi Apricot (Jardalu) — Kargil's Cold Desert Superfruit

Apricots have been grown in the Suru valley and Kargil district of Ladakh for over a thousand years, where the extreme diurnal temperature range concentrates sugars in the fruit. Dried apricots — called jardalu — are a winter food staple and are exported as premium organic dried fruit. Apricot kernel oil (khubani tel) is used in skin care. The crop requires no pesticides due to Ladakh's cold, arid climate.