Dates have been the staple food of the Middle East and parts of South Asia for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated around Iraq, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to Pre-historic Egypt, possibly as early as 4000BCE. The Ancient Egyptians used the fruits to be made into date wine, and ate them at harvest. Its name came from the Greek word for “finger” daktulos, because of the fruits elongated shaped.
Dates Ripen in four stages, w/c are known throughout the world by their Arabic names
1.Kimri – unripe
2.Khalal – full size, crunchy
3.Rutab – ripe, soft
4.Tamar – ripe, sun-dried
Health Benefits
Dates provide a wide range of essential nutrients and are very good source of dietary potassium. The sugar content of ripe dates is about 80%: the remainder consists of protein, fiber, trace elements including boron, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc.
