Dates

The date is the fruit obtained from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), symbol very often associate arid countries in Africa and Arabia. It should make the distinction between what we usually find in the market, which is the date dry and fresh date, corresponding to the early stages of the fruit, when it has not matured as yet not contain much sugar.


The increased production of dates comes from Iraq and Iran and between varieties of dates, the most appreciated is called Deglet Nour.

It is difficult to get fresh dates, because they are highly perishable and quickly ferment sugars. His season covers the months between October and January. Even as the freeze very well accepted, it could find fresh dates throughout the year, have lost some crunchy texture but retain most of the flavor.

What taste are usually dried dates usually arrive in markets from Africa, and half dried or candied in sugar. This is one of the most energetic and dried fruits are nutritious. Its sugar content is nearly 70% although it is very rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium and phosphorus. It is also rich in fiber, helping to regulate intestinal transit and antioxidant effects.

As they mature, dates are gaining in nutritional value and concentration of sugars, going to have a golden hue to have an almost black color and being a tender and juicy fruit to be dried and shriveled a date, and more delicious but tough and without juice. Mind you, so long preserved, if not wet.

Uses of dates
It is especially recommended consumption dates as an energy source when performing physical and mental efforts are a good ally in times of stress studies and practiced as sport.

In the kitchen, more and more, are part of exquisite recipes, though still usually associate them and save them for snacks at Christmas time. Dates found in jams, puddings, cakes and ice cream. In Arab countries are consumed fresh and soft, they call it "bread of the desert" and very often taken with milk. In fact, dates boiled in milk soothe the airways and are very beneficial to combat bronchitis, coughs, colds and fever.