Dates are the fruits of date palms that have been valued by people since ancient times for their nutritional and beneficial properties. In most countries, they are supplied in the form of dried fruits, but in their homeland dates are also consumed fresh, usually as a dessert.
Countries where dates grow
Dates are fruits of a small size and oblong shape, inside which a rather large stone is hidden. Their colors can range from light brown to chocolate red. These fruits grow on tall date palms, which have a thick trunk and branches with long leaves located at the top.
Date palms grow and bear fruit well only in warm countries with tropical or subtropical climates. They tolerate extreme heat well, but may die or stop bearing fruit after a severe cold snap. Although some types of date palms can safely tolerate mild and short-term frosts that occur at night in the desert.
The birthplace of these fruits is considered to be North Africa, where date palms have been growing for several millennia, as a rule, not far from oases. On an industrial scale, they are cultivated in Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia and many other African countries. These states are currently the main suppliers of dates to the world market. At the same time, most of the fruits grown there are consumed by local residents, which is not surprising, because dates are present in Arabic cuisine in a variety of forms.
A date palm can be grown at home, from a stone, but it will not bear fruit - this requires special climatic conditions.
Date palms also bear fruit in the only European country - Spain. They are grown for sale near the town of Elche in Valencia, where the climatic conditions are suitable for these palms. It was from Spain that dates were brought to Mexico and North America, where they still grow. In the USA, these fruits are cultivated in California.
Californian, Palestinian and Israeli dates are considered the most expensive and high-quality ones.
Composition and useful properties of dates
Dates are considered the most nutritious fruit for a reason. They contain a lot of water and carbohydrates, slightly less fat and protein. They are rich in B vitamins, vitamins A, C, D and K. Dates contain many trace elements: magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, sodium, manganese and copper. These fruits also hold the record for the glycemic index, so they should be consumed with caution by people suffering from diabetes.
Dates contain a lot of glucose and fructose, which, unlike sucrose, are much better absorbed by the body.
For all its nutritional value, dates are a fairly high-calorie product. Their energy value is 280 kcal per 100 g. That is why they need to be consumed in limited quantities for those who seek to lose excess weight.
Due to its composition, dates are useful to include in the diet to strengthen the immune system, especially during the off-season, as well as for cardiovascular diseases. They are good for the liver and strengthen the gums and teeth. And thanks to fiber, these fruits normalize digestion. It is useful to add them to the diet of children from 3 years old, since the trace elements and vitamins that are part of dates are necessary for babies to grow and develop correctly.
