Barakawi dates
Many Manasir farmers now favor growing Barakawi dates above any other kind because of
the higher returns they bring in.
More and more Barakawi trees are being planted on Saqiah land, which was formerly used
only for crops that required seasonal irrigation. Yusif (1995:274) claims that Barakawi are
sold to Egypt, where they are known as Ibrimi () and Sakuti (), in addition to their more
common Egyptian names. Although barakawi palms are not particularly abundant in Dar al-
Manasir, they are grown extensively in the country's neighbor, Shaiqiyah, with a major
agricultural hub located in the region of Karima. YUSIF (1995:274) adds that Barakawi dates
were brought to the Rubatab Country from Mahas and the Shaiqiyah Country via Dar al-
Manasir around the turn of the 20th century.
It is not known for sure where Barakawi dates came from, although the northeastern area of
Sudan is a likely candidate. The Barakawi date palm is a hybrid between the Phoenix
dactylifera and other date palm cultivars.
The Sudanese sell the date variety known as Barakawi to nations like Egypt and Saudi Arabia
because of its widespread popularity. They stand out for the many ways they may surprise
you: big, sweet, and fluffy. The fiber, vitamins, and minerals of Barakawi dates are among its
many health benefits.
Exactly how the Barakawi date palm made its way to other parts of Sudan is a topic of some
conjecture. There is a belief that in the early 20th century, traders from the Mahas area
introduced it to Dar al-Manasir in central Sudan. Pilgrims from the Mahas area on their way
to Mecca have also been credited with bringing the Barakawi date palm to Dar al-Manasir.
Dar al-Manasir, the Shaiqiyah Country, and the Rubatab Country are just few of the places in
Sudan where you may find a Barakawi date palm today. The great output of dates it generates
and the ease with which it can be grown make it a popular crop among local farmers.
The Sudanese economy benefits greatly from the export of Barakawi dates. They are both
popular in domestic markets and exported to foreign ones. Barakawi dates are a staple in the
Sudanese diet and may be found in many regional recipes.
Barakawi dates are said to have originated in the Mahas area of Sudan, albeit this is only
speculation. Dates of the Barakawi kind are widely consumed in Sudan and are also exported
abroad. They stand out for the many ways they may surprise you: big, sweet, and fluffy.
Dates from the Barakawi variety are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
The fruits we received were harvested in Sulhah, Sherari Island ( ), and are unusual in shape.
They measure around 5 centimeters in length and 1.5 centimeters in width, making them
significantly longer and not as thin as the normal 'Abid Rahim type. They start off a rich
reddish brown in the middle of the fruit and fade to a lighter yellow as they go outward
toward the perianth.
Some of the tallest palm trees in Dar al-Manasir are Barakawi palms.
Dates are delicious, healthy, and convenient to have around all year. According to the
Manasir, if you have enough dates and water, you may live for years. Dates are also known as
al-Zad al-negidh ( ) by the Bedouin Manasir, which translates to "the'real' food for traveling."
Dates are served both before and after each of the day's two main meals. The traditional sugar
alternative is date fruits, which are commonly eaten with tea.
A date pudding, Madidah Balah. Once the dates have reached the desired thickness, they are
removed from the heat and allowed to cool. The topping of butter is optional.
A traditional fresh bread called Kurasah is topped with little chunks of dates to make a simple
meal called Kurasah al-Balah. The Bedouin Manasir use it as a travel snack since it can be
stored for several days without going stale.
Women traditionally consume a diet of 'barbur' during the first three days after giving birth. If
you need to "let the blood out," you can't eat anything but what's on your "blood out" diet.
Dates are cooked until they reach a texture somewhere between pudding and soup.
Date-based alcoholic drinks are a long-standing festival staple:
One typical type of date wine is sharbut. The dates are fermented for three to fifteen days in a
closed Sir (see to Material Culture of the Manasir) after being soaked in water.
When compared to regular Sharbut, the Nabid is a substantial improvement. Young Sharbut is
fermented without yeast by adding a handful of sun-dried sorghum grains that have just
begun to sprout.
Date beer is called Baqaniah. Small dried sorghum sprouting seeds are combined with dates
and placed on a wet Birsh (see to the Manasir's Material Culture for further information on
this practice). The Birsh is left to sit for a few days before being strained and cooled in a Sir.
Sick and elderly persons can safely consume the beverage because of its halal status.
Another Sudanese cultivar with some similarities to the well-known Abid Rahim date. They
are in high demand and are shipped to Egypt, where they are sold under the names Ibrimi and
Sakuti. Their base hue is a dark reddish brown, and they've got some yellow spots here and
there.
Date palm trees have provided people with energy, nutrition security, and quality fruit in the
worst climates for the past 5,000 years. The following are some of the ways in which date
fruits promote health. Dates have simple sugars like fructose and dextrose in their soft,
readily digestible flesh.
They quickly restore stamina and strength after consumption. Antioxidants like tannins,
which are polyphenolic flavonoids, are beneficial because they fight infections, reduce
inflammation, and stop bleeding.
Due to their high phenolic content, dates have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral
properties and can protect against chronic inflammation and other illnesses. Dates' high fiber
and phenolic content make them useful for lowering cholesterol and controlling
inflammation.
Date phenolics have anti-allergic immunomodulatory characteristics, therefore they can help
mitigate an overactive immune system. One of the immunomodulatory effects of phenolics is
the induction of anti-inflammatory responses through the control of proinflammatory
pathways.
Dates' distinctive nutritional profile makes them a potential staple meal for humans and
suggests they may play a vital role in human health and nutrition. Carotenoids, anthocyanins,
phenolics, antioxidants, and dietary fiber are only some of the functional and bioactive
compounds found in dates; they also have anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, anti-microbial, and immuno-
modulatory effects.
On top of all that, dates are considered a functional and nutraceutical food. A few dates, in
comparison to the typical diet, can provide all the necessary nutrients. Therefore, eating dates
is very recommended.
The phenolic chemicals found in dates are powerful antioxidants and immune system
boosters. Antioxidants are chemicals that stop free radicals from destroying cells. Highly
reactive free radicals are inherently unstable chemicals that have been linked to an increased
risk of illnesses including cancer, heart disease, dementia, and Alzheimer's.
Dates provide a lot of healthy fiber. A high-fiber diet can help with blood sugar control, heart
disease prevention, cancer prevention, colon health, increased beneficial bacteria, and regular
bowel movements, among other things.
Once you remove the pits, you may use the dates for any recipe. They provide a certain
sweetness to dishes when chopped and added to salads, biscuits, or cakes. Plates of dates,
almonds, and other dried fruits are a standard part of the meal in many North African and
Middle Eastern civilizations.
To remove the pit from a date, cut it in half lengthwise. You can cleave them in half
lengthwise, or just make a little hole in the middle. You decide. Dates work well in both
sweet and savory applications, including as a fast topping for yogurt or ice cream, in salads,
or with marinated ricotta cheese (especially delicious on a meat and cheese board). Sweetness
to balance heat and acidity, they may be chopped and added to slaws or thrown into a blender
and used in braises, marinades, and glazes.
Dates are not only found in these bottled jellies and preserves, but also cooked into date bread
and bacon for Devils on Horseback. Dates appear to be pervasive. They have an incredible
amount of inherent sweetness.
Concentrated date syrup, made from dried dates, is not to be confused with fruit juice. Pure
date syrup is made by grinding the fruit with a tiny bit of distilled water, then evaporating the
water to leave behind only the syrup. The liquid form of this natural sweetener makes it
versatile and easy to use. Date syrup, in particular, adds a pleasant sweetness and colour to
ice creams, while also enhancing their flavor and appearance.
Barakawi dates, distinguished by their size and shape, are an oval type prized for their
sweetness and suppleness. They range in size from 3 to 4 inches in width to 5 to 8 cm in
length. Barakawi dates are dark on the outside and typically have a white bloom on them.
Dates are incredibly tender and luscious flesh that is a rich amber hue.
Dates from the Barakawi tree can be eaten fresh, dried, or even cooked with. Dried Barakawi
dates get a rich, chocolate colour and retain their chewy quality. Barakawi dates, when dried,
are a popular ingredient in sweets.
Large and oval in form, Barakawi dates are covered in a thin, brown skin. Dates that have a
white bloom on their skin have recently been harvested. Dates are incredibly tender and
luscious flesh that is a rich amber hue.
The freshest Barakawi dates are very tender and delicious. They have a honey-like sweetness
and are very simple to chew. Dried Barakawi dates are chewier than fresh dates and have a
sweeter flavor.
Dates from the Barakawi tree are both tasty and healthy. In terms of nutrition, they provide a
wealth of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. In addition to their many culinary uses,
Barakawi dates are delicious whether eaten fresh or dry.
The flavor of Barakawi dates is often described as "honey-like." The high sugar content of
Barakawi dates accounts for their innate sweetness. The flavor of Barakawi dates is
somewhat fruity, with hints of caramel and vanilla. Barakawi dates have a taste that is both
nuanced and well-balanced.
Depending on their environment and treatment, Barakawi dates can have a wide range of
flavors. For instance, Barakawi dates cultivated in warmer regions are often sweeter than
those grown in cooler climes. Furthermore, the flavor of naturally dried Barakawi dates is
typically more robust than that of artificially dried Barakawi dates.
Barakawi dates are a delightful and healthy snack no matter how they are farmed or prepared.
In terms of nutrition, they provide a wealth of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. In
addition to their many culinary uses, Barakawi dates are delicious whether eaten fresh or dry.
Moisture Content:
Barakawi dates have a moisture content of 11 to 12%.
Nutritional Value:
Nutritional Value per 100 g
Energy 282 Cal
Total Carbohydrates 75 g
Dietary Fiber 8g
Sugars 63 g
Protein 2.5 g
Total Fat 0.4 g
Sodium 2 mg
Cholesterol 0 mg
https://www.nutritionix.com/food/dates/100-g
Price:
Barakawi khajoors have an average price of 600 to 800 INR per kg in India and 6 to 8 USD
per pound in the USA.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_cultivation_in_Dar_al-Manasir#:~:text=trees
%20(%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A).-,Barakawi
%20(%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A),reserved%20for
%20seasonally%20irrigated%20crops.
https://www.greendiamond.co/dates-fruit/
https://www.bionity.com/en/encyclopedia/Date_Palm.html
