Dates have a long shelf life, are found in varieties, and are often sold dried and processed. The dried fruit is more than 50% sugar by weight and contains about 2% each of protein, fat, and mineral matter. Other types of dates are eaten as fresh produce and gradually shrink and wrinkle as they age. The fruits can be eaten as raw dates (fresh fruits), dry dates, and soft dates. Buy dates online.
Date palm cultivation in India
In India, date palms were introduced by the soldiers of Alexander in the Indus valley. They were also grown here during the regime of Akbar (AD 1555-1605). Before the partition of our country in 1947, the areas where date palms were grown included – Multan, Muzaffargarh, Jhang, Deragazi Khan, Bhawalpur, and Kherpur, now in Pakistan.
In Rajasthan, date cultivation was first introduced by the then-ruler Ganga Singh of the erstwhile Bikaner state through the plantation of a few varieties of Halawy, Khadrawy, and Zahidi at Ganganagar, a part of Thar Desert after the development of the Ganga canal in the state. Grooves of the seedling date palms are found on the coastal belt from Anjar to Mandavi in the Kutch district of Gujarat.
Presently, over 12 lakhs date palm trees are in the Kutch area. In north-western Rajasthan, scattered plantations of a few thousand Dates trees are confined mainly in the districts of Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. New areas are coming under improved date varieties in Bikaner and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Abohar in Punjab, Hisar in Haryana, and Mundra in the run of Kachchh. It is estimated that about 1.3 million palms are growing on the coastal belt producing about 33,000 tonnes of dates per year.
Besides India, the commercial cultivation of dates can be found in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Republic, and Algeria. Countries like – Pakistan, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Sudan, Muscat, Oman, Aden, the United States of America, and Bahrain produce dates in substantial quantities. These countries have a population of nearly 60 million palms, out of which Iraq alone has 20 million palms.
Health benefits of date fruits
The high nutrient content of the fruit or dates contributes to its positively beneficial properties. The need for a comprehensive fruit diet in any healthy diet is incomplete without the inclusion of dates. In the below section, we will be discussing the various benefits that dates have on human health:
- Aids Healthy Bowel Movements
The fiber content in dates is high, which is highly valuable to people who suffer from health issues caused due to irregular bowel movements. Daily consumption of dates showed that it helped in regular bowel movements. Further, the ammonia concentration in the stool significantly reduces when dates are regularly consumed. Therefore, the effect dates have on our overall diet and health is unparalleled. It aids human digestive health and helps in leading a healthy life.
- High Concentration of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are elements that inhibit the process of oxidation, thereby eliminating the dangerous free radicals which can cause a lot of harm to your cells. Oxidation is extremely dangerous as it can be harmful to the structural and genetic integrity of the cells. Thus, The need for antioxidants is substantial in our daily diet.
Dates are known for the high concentration of antioxidants they have. When compared to other dried fruits in the same category, dates always top the chart with the highest concentration of antioxidants.
- Reduces the threat of Cancer
In-depth studies about dates unveiled the presence of a compound called beta D- glucan in dates. It is truly beneficial in promoting anti-tumor exertion within the body. The high concentration of antioxidants in dates also helps in reducing the activities of free radicals( elements that can induce cancer) and thereby reduces the chances of cancer occurrence. The day-to-day consumption of dates can significantly reduce the threat of cancer and the circumstance of harmless tumors.
- Helps Fight Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common ailments around the world. It is treated using synthetic medications with a mixture of several oral medicines and insulin supplementation. Dates tend to increase the production of insulin and also have several properties that can help reduce the rate of absorption of glucose from the intestine. The fruit helps in reducing the threat posed by diabetes. The reduction of glucose absorption will unavoidably reduce blood glucose levels which is helpful for people with diabetes.
- Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Inflammation is a reactive medium of the human body that helps fight against several illnesses, trauma, and infections. The regulation of inflammatory agents plays a vital part in maintaining the patient’s overall health.
Compounds in dates known as phenolics and flavonoids help in reducing inflammation within the body. Hence, the extracts from date leaves can be used as an effective anti-inflammatory medicine.
- Enhances Bone Health
Dates are rich in micronutrients like selenium, magnesium, and copper. These micronutrients assist in the development of bone health.
Hence, Dates can be one of the most essential supplements added to the diet of those suffering from bone problems. The micronutrients in dates are also largely effective in treating bone conditions similar to osteoporosis. So, you should include dates as a part of your diet for healthier bones.
- Strengthens the Nervous System
The nervous system is the communication network that keeps your body performing. Neurological problems are dangerous as they can affect multiple parts of the body at the same time.
Dates are rich in nutrients like – potassium which is veritably helpful for your neurological health. Food items that are high in potassium make communication between nerve cells easier. The low amount of sodium present in dates also reduces the chances of hypertension. This helps keep your nerves safe from increased blood pressure.
- Improves Skin
Dates are an excellent alternative to the harmful chemicals found in skincare products. The high concentration of the vitamins – C and D in dates ensures that our skin receives all the nourishment required for healthy glowing skin. These Vitamins help improve the skin’s suppleness which is very hard to maintain as you age.
The nutrients present in dates are also helpful in precluding briskly geriatric and helping you look immature for a longer period. They are also functional in maintaining a healthy balance of melanin in the skin by reducing the chances of it being deposited in various spots.
- Reduce Anaemia
Consuming dates on daily basis is equal to taking iron supplements as a treatment for anemia. It can be used to reduce anemia by adding iron content to hemoglobin. It is fascinating because dates are not high in iron, yet they show similar results to iron supplements.
It can help cure problems of anemia. Thus, instead of taking iron supplements regularly that can cause constipation, you must indulge in tasty and healthy dates.
Date uses and recipes
Most people believe that dates can be consumed directly in the format it comes to the stores. In the below section, there are 2 easy ways how to bring dates into your diet :
- Banana Date Smoothie:
Preparing a smoothie for breakfast is one of the easiest things to do. Besides that, smoothies add enough nutrition to the body to get through the morning.
Ingredients [serves 2]:
- Ripe Bananas – 2
- Pitted Dried Dates – ¼ Cup –
- Almond Milk – 2 Cups
- Chia Seeds – 2 Tea Spoons
- Ground Cardamom – ½ Teaspoon
- Juiced Lime – Half Cut
- Ice Cubes – 4
- Ground Cinnamon – A Pinch
- Salt – A Pinch
Method of Preparation – All you need to do is – add all the ingredients into a blender and blend at high speed. Once it’s smooth, you can take it out and serve it in the glasses.
- Date Syrup:
Date syrup is an excellent alternative to artificial sweeteners like white sugar. Replacing sweets (or sugar) with date syrup can be very beneficial. And when concentrated, it can be used in any sort of sweet preparation.
Ingredients:
- Oil – One Cup
- Dried and Pitted Medjool Dates – One Pound
- Water – Four Cups
Equipment:
- Measuring Cup
- Saucepan
- Cheesecloth
- Blender
- Shears
- Jar with Lids
- Fine Mesh Strainer
Method of Preparation:
- Cut Dates – Use kitchen shears with oily edges to finely chop the dates.
- Boil the dates in water with an occasional stir for about 30 minutes.
- Remove the boiled mix and allow it to cool down for the next 30 minutes.
- Blend the cooled mix in a blender until it becomes sweet for around one minute.
- Use the fine mesh strain covered with cheesecloth to strain the mix to get rid of all small pieces. Take out the cheesecloth to strain it. This is how you will get the entire solution out.
- After this, you can then taste the syrup and determine if it is sweet enough. If not, you can again heat it to thicken it to attain the level of sweetness in a saucepan.
- Date Cake
Date cakes are healthy and can be consumed at any time of the day. They are especially valuable for people with diabetes. Date cake requires no added sugar and can be consumed guilt-free.
Ingredients:
For soaking
- 2 cups of dates
- 1 cup of Hot milk
For cake batter
- ¾ cup of Olive oil
- ¼ cup of curd/yogurt
- 2 cups of atta
- 1tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup of milk
- ½ cup walnuts
- 5 chopped dates
Preparation
- Take the blended dates and paste them in a large mixing bowl
- Add in ¾ olive oil and ¼ cup of curd
- Mix the mixture well
- Place the sieve. Add 2 cups of atta or wheat flour, 1tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp baking soda.
- Add the walnuts and dates
- Mix all together
- Transfer the paste now to the tray or mold
- Pat the tray twice to remove any air
- Top with more walnuts if needed
- Place the tray into the preheated oven and bake the cake at 180 degrees Celsius for at least 45 minutes
- Finally, serve the cake hot. You can store the rest for later use.
Conclusion
Dates are beneficial for overall use. Hence, while you buy dry fruits online, consider the best quality dates from Thottam Farm Fresh for everyday consumption. Whether you take them as it is, or add them to various recipes, dates are immensely beneficial for health. They are extensively used in the medication of baked and sweet products due to their slithery and sticky nature. It can also be offered to guests in general.
