Have you ever wondered why dates are so much mentioned in the Bible and were often used as food by desert camel caravans? The main reason that dates have been so highly rated as a food sources has a lot to do with the nutritional composition of one of Mother Nature’s most nutritious foods.
Dates have been in existence for thousands of years and have probably been eaten by Man and other animals, ever since the fruit itself came into being. There are several varieties of dates, but the most common one is from the date palm, which by its Latin term is Phoenix Dactylifera. Dates are known by the word Tamar in Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. The dates from the date palm are very high in carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium. They are relatively low in calories with an average size date containing only 25 calories.
In America this species is known as the California or Perny Date, and is popular because of its candy-like flavor and ease in digestion. These dates can either be eaten in their natural state of made into a number of dessert dishes including cakes, candies, and as a filling for a number of baked goods. A syrupy version also resembles honey.
From a nutritional standpoint, a serving of 100 grams of dates contain the following nutritional elements.
Carbohydrates 75gram, including 63 grams of sugar
Dietary fiber 8 gram
Protein 2.5 gram
Vitamin C 0.4 mg
Dates can be stored for long periods without need for refrigeration. They are an ideal snack for both children and adults, and are easy to carry by hikers and campers.
In addition to being found in most supermarkets, organic varieties can be found in whole foods and natural foods stores. Many organic varieties have even higher levels of elements like potassium, even more than bananas. Dates are one of the most important agricultural produce fruits in Middle Eastern countries. Egypt has the largest amount of dates produced per year with more than 1,170 tons. This is followed by Saudi Arabia with 970 tons and Iran with 880 tons. In fact, dates are such an important food product in many Middle Eastern and Asian counties that many regions are known for the quality dates that are grown and produced there.
In addition to a number of food products, dates are also made into vinegar and alcohol. Date wines and liqueurs are often prized for their qualities. Dates also contain a substance known as tannin which is used in many countries as a medicine to treat conditions such as intestinal problems and in a syrupy form to treat bronchial problems.
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