During the month of Ramadan, while an Iftar meal is packed with sumptuous and signature Ramadan delicacies, ranging from kebabs, biryanis, sharbats and desserts, it is impossible to imagine the platter without the presence of dates.
Among all those varieties like Aabel, Deglet Nour, Mazafati, Zahedi, Medjool date and more, Ajwah Khajoor is the most loved one. Other than having the health benefits and being the most preferred date, Ajwah Khajoor is one of the most expensive dates.
The date costs Rs 2200 per kg, yet has the highest sale. These Ajwah dates are directly supplied from Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Nadeem, who has a date shop at the Jumerati Square said, “We are selling Ajwah for past many years. It happened that once I went to Saudi Arabia and tasted these dates and since then we are selling Ajwah at our shop.”
Elaborating further, he said, “These dates are black in colour and are as soft as cheese. One of the interesting parts of these dates is that as soon as you eat it, the date dissolves in your mouth leaving a taste of the rose.” There is a sugary taste to the Ajwah date which makes it different from the others.
“Though we have other varieties too, but thanks to the health benefits of Ajwah that it is much in demand,” says Nadeem.
Another vendor Sohail Khan, whose shop is also located at Jumerati Square, says, “People are fond of Ajwah dates as they are tasty and has many health benefits too. We are selling Ajwah for past nine years and this date has excessive selling during Ramadan.” During Ramamdan the sales of Ajwah shoots upto 70 per cent, he added.
Nothing is most wanted as much as the dates are. And as far as the Bhopal city is concerned, a lot of varieties of dates are available in the market and Bhopalites continue to take the pleasure of it.