Make It A Date Night

Yes, date nights in the traditional sense, are definitely fun and necessary, but that’s not the kind of date night I am talking about here. Not this time at least. 🙂 I am talking about actual dates, the fruit of the palm trees.

Palm trees are considered to be the trees of life, for many reasons. The date palm is integral to desert life. So much so, it is considered the “tree of life” for its ability to provide the necessary elements of survival — food, drink and shelter. All aspects of the plant can be utilized. Even the plant’s shade provides respite for man, beast and crops that would otherwise wither in the punishing desert sun. Without it, civilization would not have been established in the unforgiving regions of the desert that would be completely uninhabitable without this miracle fruit. One date palm typically produces 100 pounds of fruit, and a prolific tree can yield two or three times as much. Dried dates also have a near infinite shelf life, which made them perfect foods for the nomadic Bedouin tribes.

The scientific name of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, refers to its ability to rise out of the searing heat of the desert like its mythological namesake bird the phoenix that rises from the ashes to live again.

Dates might just be some of the oldest fruits in the world. According to archeological findings, date palm ancestors existed long before human cultivation go back 50 million years. People in North Africa and the Middle East started cultivating dates at least 7000 years ago. The Ancient Sumerians and Egyptians thought dates were fertility foods. Eating dates provides a woman’s body with key nutrients that support digestion, boost energy, and aid reproductive health. (Maybe that’s how date night as it is known today, started. HMMMMM!) Dates traveled the Silk Road and from there, and their popularity grew exponentially.

There are over 1000 types of dates. They are grown all over the world in places that are hot, dry and arid. They like it hot. Date palms are extremely drought tolerant. Their roots are expert at seeking out underground sources of water. The plants have been known to survive for several years without a single rainfall. However, a plant denied of water will not produce fruit. They can also withstand water-logged conditions as long as the water is aerated, such as by a running stream. Date palms can also tolerate a high level of salinity in the soil and do well seaside.

Dates come in many different sizes, colors and levels of sweetness. The color of ripe dates ranges anywhere from golden-yellow, amber, bright red to deep-brown depending on the cultivar type. Dried dates vary in color from amber to very dark brown. Regardless of color or size, all dates can be classified into one of three groups: soft, semi-dry and dry.

Most dates are eaten dried or semi-dried, though the soft dates can be eaten dried or fresh. Dates are often not eaten completely fresh though because unripe fresh dates are hard, crunchy, chalky, and bitter, requiring them to cure and lose moisture on the tree or through drying to develop their signature sweet, soft, and caramel-like flavor. Freshly picked green or yellow dates have high moisture and tannins, making them astringent, hard, and unpalatable. The best soft dates are either those grown by dates farmers, or the ones found in the Middle East, such as the Barhi dates. Medjool dates are also soft dates. These are the most popular type of date in The United States, and are most often enjoyed dried.

Deglet Moor dates are the most popular and wildly grown type of dates in the world. They are semi soft dates. The name means “Date of Light” and the amber color is translucent when held to a light.

Dry varieties of dates are tough and fibrous when fresh and even more so when dried. Their sturdy character, however, make them a necessity for nomadic tribes who pack them for long treks to feed both rider and animal. Thoory is a widely eaten dry date, also called a “bread” date because its dry texture can be ground into flour.

Dates are very nutritious, but they also have a very high sugar content, so like with many other types of fruit, don’t over do it when it comes to eating dates. Eating too many can result in weight gain, spiked blood sugars and digestive problems. But they are very high in fiber, and contain high amounts of potassium and magnesium, which help regulate blood pressure and support heart function. They are also high in antioxidants and are packed with polyphenols, carotenoids, and flavonoids that protect cells from damage.  As with everything, they are good for you, but eat them in moderation.

Dates are cooked and used in many different ways. Obviously you can eat them as is, but they are used for everything from sweet to savory dishes. They are used for desserts, are also used to flavor slow cooked meats, stuffed or used in salads. They are even used for date wines in parts of India. They are very versatile fruits. The possibilities are endless. Use your imagination and see what you can come up with, and make it a date night. 🙂

Have a great day and make everyday great. Life is short, make the most out of every day. Live life to the fullest and enjoy the ride. ‘Til next time.