Dates were one of the first fruits to be cultivated by man.  It is known as the bread of the desert.  In the tropics, dates are comparatively inexpensive among the dried fruit.  Dates are the fruit of the date palm, which grows in the subtropical and desert areas.  This fruit grows in clusters.  The tree is tall like a coconut tree.  The fruit is green and golden yellow in color on ripening it turns to brown and black.  This fruit is mainly cultivated in the Arab states, North Africa countries like the USA, and Australia.  In India, dates are cultivated in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Different Names

The scientific name of dates is Phoenix dactylifera.  In India dates are known as Khejur in Bengali, Khajur in Gujarathi, Hindi, Marathi, and Punjabi, Kharjoora in Kannada, Khazur in Kashmiri, Ethapazham in Malayalam, Khajuri in Oriya, Pericham pazham in Tamil, and in Telugu it is known as Kharjoora pandu.  

Variety and Availability

The most popular variety is the golden brown “deglet noor” originated from the zibane region in the north eastern Algerian desert . This is a leading date in Libya, Algeria, the United States, and Tunisia. The orange-brown skin is the sweet halawi or the fragrant khaleseh.  Another variety of dates is from Egypt and California also grown in the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Jordan, and United Arab Emirates,the large crinkly skinned Medjool, which has a sweet flesh. Ajwah variety is from the town of Medina in Saudia Arabia.

Dates are available as dried and as well as fresh ones.  Until recently only dried dates were available outside their native lands.  Fresh dates are plump and moist with smooth skin and a slightly crunchy texture. Unripe dates are more golden and they can be eaten as such but they will be less honeyed than ripe dates.  The Muslim community to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan uses dry unripe dates.  

Dried dates are sweet and sticky and will keep for months but do not store them near strong-smelling foods like an onion as they absorb odors.  They are mainly used in cakes, puddings especially Christmas favorites.

Preparation of Dates

Fresh dates make a good ingredient in fruit salads.  They can be stewed and eaten with sauces or cream cheese.  Dried dates are good in moist cakes and pudding and combine very well with nuts like cashew nuts, almonds, and walnuts.  The seed can be removed and filled with cream or nuts and rolled in sugar and can be eaten or filled with nuts and dipped in maida batter and deep-fried also tastes excellent.  Date chutney can be made with the addition of tamarind, red chilly powder, and other spices.  Some people make pickles out of this delicious fruit.

Uses

Dried dates are used for lean constipated patients.  It should be avoided by obese and diabetes persons since they are high in calories.

Nutritive Value

Both fresh and dried dates are very nutritious.  A 100 gm of fresh fruit provides 144 kcal whereas the same weight of dried dates provides 317kcal.  They are a good source of fiber, which makes them very suitable for laxative action, which does not irritate the bowel or stomach.  They contain more natural sugar than any other fruit.  They are high in potassium and low in sodium.  The dried date is a very good source of iron.

Nutritive value for 100gms of Edible Dates

Disadvantages

Dates kept exposed to flies and dust may become a source of infection like typhoid, dysentery and cholera. Some susceptible individual may develop migraine attack with the consumption of dates.  Eating dried dates too often can lead to dental caries and gum disease because the sugar content is readily fermented in the mouth to form dental plaque.