Dates have a special place in the Middle East history and is widely cultivated in the MENA region (Middle East North African Region). In fact Dates are considered as the staple food in the whole Middle East region. Many Archaeologist strongly believes that the date cultivation in the Arabian peninsula started way back between 6000 BC - 5001 BC. As expected the countries from the MENA region are the largest producers of dates. The total annual world production of dates in the year 2018 was ~8.53 Million metric tons.
Date palms needs Arid climatic conditions and can easily survive in places with very hot summers and little to no rainfall for its growth. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest producer of dates (Egypt holds the first position in terms of dates production in the world) and it exports ~ 9% of the world’s dates to its neighboring countries (Kuwait, Jordan).
Dates are oval in shape and are super sweet, they have good nutritional value and are great sources of Iron, Potassium and other essential minerals to human body. It is a traditional custom in the Arab nation to welcome their guests with Dates and Qahwa. Dates are healthy and high calorie fruit and contains approximately 3000 calories in one Kg of Dates.
Dates are also used in different other forms such as, they are used in wafers, biscuits, cookies, candies, chocolates, pickles and vinegar. Date paste is used in the preparation sweet cookies (Mamoul) , desserts. They are also presented as gift boxes by decorating them with sesame seeds and chocolate toppings.
Ajwa, Anbara, Safawi, Saghai, Khudri are some popular date varieties and are well known in Saudi Arabia.
