Enterprise Building, Gardye Road, Dundee, DD5 1NY
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dates?
The date is a unique fruit, enjoyed in three states of ripeness. When fully ripe but still firm, it is bright yellow or red, refreshingly crunchy, juicy and moderately sweet. As it further ripens, it gradually softens, starting from the top all the way down to calyx. The date looks partly firm and yellow or red, and partly moist and brown and almost translucent. Then the entire fruit becomes soft, loses its crunchiness and tastes even sweeter and more succulent. If left on the tree to dry naturally in the sun, its skin shrivels and darkens in colour. The date develops a candy-like chewy texture. Technically, the date can be labelled as fresh when eaten right after it has been picked, but since it is really at its driest stage, it is labelled dried. In this state, it is stored and transported throughout the world, and commercially marked as soft, semi-dry or dry, depending on the date variety.
What's the difference between fresh dates and dry dates?
Technically, the date can be labelled as fresh when eaten right after it has been picked, but since it is really at its driest state at this stage, it is labelled dried. In this state, it is stored and transported throughout the world, and commercially marketed as soft, semi-dry or dry, depending on the date variety.
What's so special about the date fruit and date palm tree?
What sets this fruit above others is this: besides enjoying it as a fresh fruit or dessert after meals or between meals, it can be combined with nuts to provide proteins and essential fat and used as a natural pre and post workout food. In the arid regions, where it grows most successfully, it is the meal itself. The date is an affordable concentrated energy staple food comparable to wheat potatoes and rice in the other parts of the world where Mother Nature is more generous J It us called 'bread of the desert' and 'cake for the poor'. In its dried form it is an important crop in fighting global hunger and also dealing with global warming. The date tree is also very unique – a tall and beautiful palm with evergreen feathery leaves radiating like sun rays from the top of its single stem. It is both impressively bountiful and versatile. The tree flourishes in arid areas where other trees may barely survive.
Where are date usually grown?
It is indigenous to the Old World along an era extending from northwest and north Africa particularly in the Sahara desert oases through south-western Asia to India and Pakistan. In Europe today the only place where it is commercially grown is Elche in Spain whereas in the New World it mostly thrives in the hot and dry regions of Southern California. In southern hemisphere its cultivation is increasing at places like the arid regions of Namibia in Africa and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia.
How many types of dates are there?
In the long history of the tree's cultivation several thousand varieties have been established. However some of them are inferior in quality. Therefore the number of varieties is not the criterion for judging the qualitative productivity of a region. The Punjab region for instance, grows 300 varieties, of which only a handful are good. In Iraq the number of variety is considerably higher due to the long experience and skills acquired over centuries of cultivating the palm and manipulating it genes.
Are all types of dates covered with glucose syrup?
No. We are strictly against using any flavourings, preservatives and additives. We take pride in fact that all are products are completely natural and free from these.