Dates, Origins and Benefits
Dates are one of the fruits of the date palm tree, which belongs to the Aceraceae family, and it is one of the evergreen trees. Its length may reach approximately 25 meters. The date fruit has an oval shape, its length ranges from 20 to 60 millimeters, while its diameter ranges from 8 to 30 millimeters. The ripe fruit consists of a hard kernel surrounded by a very thin layer called the pellicle that separates the kernel from the fleshy section which is eaten.
Origins of Dates
The stories differed about the origins of dates. Some say that the Arabian Gulf is the place of its origin, as historical monuments were found in eastern Saudi Arabia indicating the cultivation of date palm in it before nearly six thousand years BC. Other narrations say that the origin of dates back to the city of Babylon before nearly four thousand years BC, and it was known about the ancient Egyptians that they used it with wine. The Arabs took dates as a basic material in their food and it was a staple for them. They sang and talked about palm trees and dates in their prose and poetry.
The Stages of the Growth of Dates
1. Pollination stage: It is the first stage of the date fruit, during which pollination begins immediately,
and it lasts for 4-5 weeks.
2. Khalal stage: It is considered the second stage of fruit growth when the fruit begins to lengthen, increase
in size and weight, and turn into green.
3. Al-Baser stage: This stage is characterized by slow weight gain, and the green color starts to change to
yellow, blond or red.
4. Rutab stage: As the fruit becomes moist, watery and sweet, and this stage extends from 3-5 weeks.
5. Dates: which is the last stage in the growth of the fruit. Where the color darkens, the peel freezes and
the fruit ripen.
Types of Dates
The varieties and types of dates in the Arab world vary to thousands of species, and there may be more than 2000 varieties that differ in their types and names. They spread in the Arab Gulf countries, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine, and the most famous types are: Medjoul, Barhi, Al-Khodry, Al-Khalas, Ruthana, Al-Sukkari, Al-Sefri, Al-Segae, Al-Ajwa, Al-Hilali, and Al-Meneifi.
The Nutritional Value of Dates
Dates contain 70.6% of carbohydrates, 2.5% of fat, 33% of water, 1.32% of minerals, 10% of fiber, in addition to vitamins A, B, and C, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, chlorine, and manganese. Where these components differ according to the nature of the fruit, whether wet or dry, as well as according to the environmental conditions surrounding the palm trees, and also these components differ according to the different varieties of dates.
The Benefits of Dates
Dates are called the mine of nutrients because they contain many nutritional elements, vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, that the human body needs, which in turn reduce the risk of developing some chronic diseases. As 10 dates a day (about 100 grams), provides the human body with all his daily needs of magnesium, manganese, copper, and sulfur, and half of his calcium and potassium needs.
It is worth mentioning that this small fruit offers almost innumerable nutritional, health, therapeutic, and cosmetic benefits, in addition to that it works as a filter that purifies the body from toxic waste.
These benefits include:
1. Antioxidants in dates protect the body from the risk of infection with numerous diseases such as diabetes,
heart disease, and tumors. They protect the cells of the body from damage by resisting free oxygen.
2. It supports the health of bones because it includes many minerals, such as calcium and potassium that
protect the body from osteoporosis.
3. It preserves eye moisture and brightness, prevents night-blindness (Nyctalopia), and strengthens the
vision.
4. It improves the health of the hair because of the high percentage of iron, which helps in the proper
transport of blood to the scalp, which helps healthy hair growth.
5. It calms and strengthens nerves, and brings peace and serenity to troubled souls.
We, at Pal Gardens Agricultural Company, one of the Sinokrot Holding Companies, are distinguished in cultivating and packing one of the most famous and finest types of dates and the most beneficial food, which is Medjool Dates. To know more about our company please follow us on social networks.
Sources
https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1
https://www.almadenahnews.com/article/431373-
https://mawdoo3.com/
https://www.sehatok.com/food/2020/5/4/%D9%81%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%A7
https://www.saentrepreneurs.ch/index.php/magazine-27/item/167-2016-10-01-15-53-18
