THE ORIGIN OF DATES

High-quality plain dates (whole and pitted dates) of different varieties that range in size, colour, texture and sweetness, including Khalas, Fard, Lulu, Khenaizi, Dabbas, Sheeshee, Medjool and Dry types. Choose from a wide variety of fresh dates.

Dates are probably the healthiest of all dry fruits. A good source of antioxidants, fibre, proteins, minerals and a range of vitamins, dates can keep diseases at bay, boost brain health and give you glowing skin.

Everyone, irrespective of age and gender, can reap the health benefits of dates, provided they consume it daily. While, for pregnant women, date consumption shortens the labour duration, for older adults it reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s diseases.

Regular intake of dates has proved beneficial for improving cognitive function and regulating blood pressure. Although dates have a high carb content, they boast a low glycemic index. The presence of fibre helps slow down the carb absorption process, preventing blood sugar spikes.

The fibre in the fruit also keeps your digestive system healthy. With high levels of antioxidants, dates can prevent oxidative stress caused by free radicals in your body.

DID YOU KNOW?

The date fruit can be eaten at all stages of maturity – ripe and fresh (called Besr), semi-matured (called Rutab), and dried (called Tamr).

The dried fruit could keep for long periods of time, and was an essential source of nutrition for Arab desert dwellers long after its harvest season.

One of the ways they used to preserve it was by extracting “dibs” or “date syrup” (sometimes referred to as date honey), ensuring that they would have a source of nutrition and energy throughout the year.

Dates are enjoyed in many forms – as whole fruit (fresh or dried), as syrup, as paste in cakes, biscuits and desserts, as jam, as juice, etc.

Dates can be enjoyed throughout the year but are strongly associated with special religious events, such as Ramadan for Muslims and Christmas for Christians. It’s tradition to break the Ramadan fast with a handful of dates.