Care for a date

Ancient Mesopotamians considered dates to be an aphrodisiac but this wrinkly little fruit is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals

While dates don’t appear to be particularly special with their oddly wrinkled, brown exterior, they’re satisfyingly chewy and flavorful. Undoubtedly a favorite since the Garden of Eden, dates are considered a drupe because they contain a single pit or stone at the center.

• They are the fruits grow on the palm tree belonging to the family of Arecaceae, in the genus: Phoenix, and scientifically named as Phoenix dactylifera.
• The word “date” comes from the Greek word daktylos, meaning finger.
• The tree is believed to originate in the lands on the banks of Nile and Euphrates Rivers of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Date palm is now grown extensively for its edible fruits under warmer climates across all the continents.
• They contain health benefiting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to possess anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic (prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties.
• Their low water and high sugar content gives them a shelf-life of many months.
• Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics mark years with images of full date palms, as the trees grow 12 new fronds a year.
• There are more than 200 varieties of dates. Medjool, large and caramel-like, is the hardest to grow and therefore one of the most expensive to buy.
• Ancient Mesopotamians considered the date an aphrodisiac. It’s the symbol of the goddess Ishtar, prototype of Venus and Aphrodite.
• Dates are an excellent source of iron, carry 0.90 mg/100 g of fruits (about 11 per cent of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
• Dates are a wonderful snack all by themselves. But make sure you eat them in moderation, as fruits can contain high levels of fructose that can harm your health. For a new twist, try stuffing them with a mixture of chopped raw almonds and walnuts, and raw cream cheese for a delicious, nutritious — and completely unique.