Thoory / Dayri / Halawy / Khadrawy
FoodFood InformationFruitTropical
The date is the fruit of a tall palm tree known as the date palm. Dates
are the staff of life for people who dwell in the arid regions of North
Africa and the Middle East. The date palm bears its first fruit in the fourth
year and continues to do so, with little or no care, and under far from
ideal growing conditions, for the next seventy-five years.
In the United States dates are grown commercially, on a fairly large scale,
in the desert areas of California and Arizona, but some are also imported
from Israel. The best-known variety is called the Deglet Noor. The
largest and most costly variety is called the Medjoul.
Fresh dates used to be marketed with pits. In recent years the growers have
found a method of removing the pits without mashing up the delicate fruit,
which has resulted in greatly increased popularity.
No preparation is required. Serve them as you would dried apricots or prunes.
They are excellent when used in baking. Look for moist, soft dates; if they
are hard and dry, they won't be nearly as flavorful.
Deamer 5/97