The month of Ramadan is when you see boxes and baskets of dates flooding the traditional and modern markets in countries with Muslims population.

During the holy month, Muslims refrain from food, drink, and other physical needs from sunrise to sunset. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking (islam.about.com).

Muslims in the world also follow Prophet Muhammad who stressed that dates is an important part of one’s diet during Ramadan especially when people break their fast at sunset.

Dates are the fruits that grow on specific palm trees with Phoenix dactylifera as its scientific name. The tree is believed to have originated in the lands around the banks of Nile and Euphrates rivers. Ancient civilizations of 5000 years ago highly regarded the fruits; Egyptians then considered dates as a symbol of fertility, while the Romans and the Greeks used it to ornament their stately triumph pageants (kaheel7.com).

Dried or fresh

Fresh dates are available soft, semi­soft or dry. They are crunchy and has a tannic taste compared to dried dates.   A dried date is simply one that is dehydrated to remove its moisture and has a longer shelf life than the fresh.

Dates are one of the most nourishing fruits and called Bread of the Desert. More than two third of dates’ weight is natural sugar. They can be eaten as is, or processed into cookies, cakes, foods and even juices.

Dates are also rich in natural fibers, vitamins and minerals. It is said that consumption of one date daily is necessary for a balanced and healthy diet. Dates are believed to cure constipation, intestinal disorders, weight gain, heart problems, diarrhea and several other diseases. (organicfacts.net).

Currently there are hundreds of date products available in the market. The most popular, at least in Indonesia, are Ajwa, Medjool and Bateel.

Ajwa

Ajwa dates are the favorites of Prophet Muhammad who said: Ajwa dates are from paradise.  It is said that he even planted the first Ajwa date palm close to the Quba mosque in Medina. Muhammad told his followers that if they would eat 7 dates in the morning, they would not face harm from poison or magic that entire day (blog.madinah-madinah.com).

Known as Prophet Dates, Ajwas are black with smooth texture, soft, chewy and characterized by very fine white lines.. Cultivated in Medina, they are one of the most expensive types of fruits dates.

Medjool

Medjool Dates, appropriately nicknamed king of date  are very large in size compared to other date varieties. They are extraordinary sweet with chewy texture.

Originally from Morocco, the Medjool was reserved for royal hosts and other dignitaries.  In the 1920s when plant disease destroyed almost all Medjool trees in Morocco, 11 trees were brought to the United States in an effort to save them. Medjool Dates industry has since progressed with the Bard Valley in Southern California as the perfect place to grow them through complex and labor intensive process.

The palms seem to flourish in the dry heat and low rainfall with an enriched farmland from the passing Colorado and Gila rivers. The proximity to these rivers allows abundant irrigation for the trees root structure. Bard Valley is currently the largest producer of Medjool Dates in the United States (medjooldates.com)

Bateel

Bateel is a high-end date products that began in Al Ghat, a town in Central Arabia.

The gourmet dates started when Bateel combined dates with gourmet chocolate, then by fusing dates with other delicacies, adding diverse deluxe treats and finally perfecting Bateel's integrated production assets and its network of luxurious boutiques and cafés (bateel.com)

Bateel products are currently available in 16 countries, including Indonesia. They are only available in Bateel outlets for quality control from the date palm to the stores.

The name has grown  to a leading brand in the gourmet food market and Bateel constantly develop its products line encompassing chocolates, dates, pastries, and fine foods.

Bateel advertised its delicacies as made from wholesome, natural products using extraordinary dates and chocolates through date-infused sweets and savories, to exquisite pastas and olive oil.

Self-restraint

Ramadan, to believers, is a time to practice self-restraint and to share fortunes with those less fortunate. Both sunrise and sunset meals for the month, with dates as part of the spreads, are meant to be humble and as reminders that there are those who go without food daily.

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Photo: medjooldates.com

A Guide to Cooking, Buying, and Storing Dates: http://bit.ly/STRVsg