In childhood days, grannies, grandmas, were likely to feed dates along with the milk as a routine tradition owing to its rich nutrition.
Now as the yummy dates are back in the season, people have spoilt for choice for more than 60 varieties that are available in the market.
During this season, sale as well as demand of dates is on the bullish mode, one of the reasons was Ramadhan, other is upcoming festive season, owing to this many shop owners, retailers are offering good amount of discount on varied varieties.
Markets are flooded with the imported dates, which hit Indian towns from the Middle East countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, South Africa, Tunisia, Israel, Morocco, Oman, and Egypt.
“Dubai is the hub for the date trade and to further boost the trade, UAE government buys the surplus of its produced dates from the farmers and sells it across the world as well as India, thus we get it in a very economic rate from the UAE government,” quotes Mohammed Mukthar, a city date trader.
Besides he avers that Iraq profusely preserves its dates as well as reasonably keeps hold on its prices therefore India continues to be the prime consumer of its dates at a beneficial price.
Superior date comes from Saudi and it has been the prominent region over the years due to its compatible climate conditions for the several varieties of dates.
Saudi exports the following range of dates: Ambera, Sagai, Sukkary, Khudri, Mabroom, Barni, Ikhlas, Safawi, and Medjool.
Whereas dates from Dubai are: Crown, Fard, Khanezi, Sayera; Iranian dates are: Kimia, Rabbis, Maryam.
While Medjool, is imported from the several countries such as South Africa, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, also Deglet Noor from Algeria; Alsafa from Oman; Barari from Tunisia; Zahedi from Iraq.
Ajwa is known to be the finest in quality owing to its medicinal properties while Medjoul is known to be the king with its bigger size also for its nectarous taste. Also, in market one can find attractively packed dates that are blended with the honey, nuts, cardamom and saffron, which can be occasionally gifted to your kins.
Earlier in India, only black and red dates were obtainable and popular among the people, but now there are more than 78 varieties of dates that are in stock at a sizable Indian markets.
“Mangalore has been a decent market over the years. Neighboring state Kerala, fondly consumes the larger share of premium dates because most of the people stay in Middle East, when they revisit India they love to eat finest dates. Besides, we also supply to Goa, Bangalore, and some parts of Andhra Pradesh,” Mukthar stated.
He further added that in India, there is a misconception of an ‘Indian dates’ though no such tag exist. In Rajasthan, there is date like similar fruit which yields there but that is not a date fruit because this fruit needs a hot climate and sand, which Rajasthan has, but not as hot as in Middle East countries.
A date-fruit contains ample of advantages below mentioned are its key benefits:
It’s a pesticide free fruit; completely organic
Effective in preventing abdominal cancer
Overnight soaked dates works as an excellent remedy for a weak heart, and should be consumed twice a week.
Dates are rich in calcium and eating plenty of dates strengthens bones, this is the reason it is recommended to children and older adults.
Dates are also important in maintaining good vision and are effective in guarding night-blindness.
Dates are also highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation as the roughage provided by it; stimulates sluggish bowels.
Date works as a remedy for liver inflammation and purge it from toxins
Let’s celebrate your day with the yummy dates
For more dates’ photos click down ‘more photos’
