Vol.
3 Issue-3, November 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
Dates
K.Ronika Sharma*1and Sunidhi Mishra2
1
M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition, Department of Biosciences, SLAS, MUST, Lakshmangarh-
332311
2
Assistant Professor (Food and Nutrition), Department of Biosciences, SLAS, MUST,
Lakshmangarh-332311
ARTICLE ID: 08
Introduction
Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant
species in the palm family,( Arecaceae) cultivated for its edible sweet fruit called dates. They
have been used since the ancient times. The species is widely cultivated across Northern
Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, and is naturalized in many tropical and subtropical
regions worldwide.b Date palms differ from other fruits because they have four botanical
phases of development after cultivation. Those stages are Kimri, Khalaal, Rutab and Tamr
Inagrarian communities, dates can serve as rich sources of cheap food as well as energy for
the growing population, thereby improving food security. They contribute to health by
providing carbohydrates (including soluble sugars), proteins, lipids as well as minerals and
certain essential vitamins to the body.
It is also known to be rich in polyphenols and functional dietary fiber that help to
maintain the digestive tracts antimutagenic, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti-
inflammatory bioactivities have been attributed to the contribution of polyphenols, With the
continuously increasing demands for natural, cheap and nutritive food, creating more
awareness about the health benefits of fruits such as dates could help to increase their
commercial and nutritive importance.
Table. 1 Sscientific Cclassification
Kingdom Plantae
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Liliopsida
Order Arecales
Family Arecaceae
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Genus Phoenix
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Vol. 3 Issue-3, November 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
Species P.dactylifera
Nutritional Heath Bnefits of Dates:
Dates are rich in polyphenols. These compounds provide a wide variety of health
benefits, such as better digestion, diabetes management, and even cancer prevention. While
many dried fruits have high polyphenol content, dried dates are the richest source among
many dry fruits.As dates also contain of dietary fibre, which the edible portion of analogous
or plants carbohydrate that resist absorption and breakdown in the human small intestine with
partial or complete fermentation in the large intestine. Dietary fiber offers some vital health
benefits such as reduction in cholesterol present in the body by lipoprotein, or "bad,"
cholesterol levels, anti-obesity, less risk of developing enhancement of gut-health and bowels
through faecal bulk as well as production of short-chain fatty acids and antidiabetic property.
As when it comes to containing of phytochemicals in dates they are products of plant
chemicals that are therapeutic in action when consumed as medicinal drugs or as a
components of daily diets, As observed in most fruits, bioactive compounds like carotenoids,
polyphenols majorly phenolic acids and flavonoids, sterols and tannins are observed in
varying quantities in dates.
Different Types of Dates
Medjool Dates Deglet Noor Dates Khudri Dates
Mazafati Dates Piarom Dates
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Vol. 3 Issue-3, November 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
Medjool dates
Medjool dates are a variety of dates enjoyed for their natural sweetness. They’re
larger, darker, and more caramel-like in taste than other common types like Deglet Noor. As
tropical stone fruits, they have a single pit surrounded by edible flesh. Native to Morocco,
Medjool dates come from the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) and are now grown in
warm regions of the United States, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.They’re often
sold dried but not dehydrated, making them soft and sticky. Their sugars become more
concentrated as they dry, which further increases their sweetness.
Deglet Noor dates
The Deglet Noor is a medium sized date with a narrow elongated oval shape. They
range in color from straw yellow to amber toned with a slightl translucent exterior. Their
texture is considered semi-dry and often described as having a slight snappy crunch.
Compared to the Medjool, they have less sugar but offer a complex sweetness with a nutty
finish likened to browned butter and cashew.Deglet Noor dates are a rich source of fiber,
iron, potassium, B-vitamins, flavonoids and antioxidants.Deglet Noor dates are available late
summer and fall.
Khudri dates
Khudri dates are larger in size relative to other dates. Khudri is quite popular date type
because it is not unique to any particular country, hence you’ll find it in quite an array of
quality types with this date Khudri dates are soft and dark in color, the date is also referred to
as Khadrawi and Khadrawy.The meaning of the word in Arabic translates to the color green
due to the fact that when the date is in its Rutab state it is very green in color.Apart from the
fact that dates are a good source of natural sugars, Khudri dates are very rich with
magnesium, and also a great source of fiber so they very supportive to a healthy digestive
system.
Mazafati dates
Mazafati date or mozafati and Bam date; also called muzati in Balochi) is a cultivar of
the palm date. It is a dark, soft, fleshy and sweet date of medium size, about 2.5–4.5 cm (1–2
in) with a relatively high moisture content of between 32-35%, varying with the time of
harvest and the location of the grove.Mazafati is a cultivar of the palm date. It is a dark, soft,
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Vol. 3 Issue-3, November 2022 (e-ISSN: 2582-8223)
fleshy and sweet date of medium size, about 2.5–4.5 cm with a relatively high moisture
content of between 32-35%, varying with the time of harvest and the location of the grove.
Piarom dates
Piarom is a cultivar of the palm date. It is large, with thin, black-brown skin. It is one
of the semi-dry date varieties. Many Piarom dates are produced in the vicinity of Hajjiabad,
Hormozgan in southern Iran.They have a unique sweet taste and natural aroma. Their thin,
wrinkled skin that fully clings to the meaty flesh and their dark brown color makes them
recognizable from other types of dates. With less than 15% moisture, Piarom dates fall under
the semi-dry category.
Conclusion
Dates have a long and rich history.They are staples in the middle east.They are
healthy and rich in nutrition As in above there’s some important information about dates in
this short space Though these information are not fully covered about dates but this will help
in knowing and briefing about the very dry fruit of dates.
References
http://www.aimspress.com/journal/agriculture (retrieved on 08.10.22)
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/fruit-diet#potential-benefitsa (retrieved on
8-10-22)
https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Deglet_Noor_Dates_11768.php (retrieved on 9-10-22)
https://ajfan.store/products/khudri-premium-dates (retrieved on 11-10-22)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazafati (retrieved on 12-10-22)
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