The humble date has long been cultivated and consumed as a staple food in the region, and the date palm is considered an emblem of national identity and of sustainability.
The date palm has a long history in the region, which is evident from findings such as the oldest discovered date seeds on Delma Island in Abu Dhabi. Discovered in 1998, the oldest seed goes back to 4670 BC, according to radiocarbon tests.
Dates were Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) favourite fruit and this is evident in the Quran, which mentions them 26 times, referring to them as ‘God’s Bounty’. According to an Islamic tradition, the date palm was the ‘Tree of Life’ in the Garden of Eden.
In Emirati culture, the date palm is considered more than just a fruit-producing tree, it is an essential part of the country’s history and heritage. In the past, dates were a principal source of nutrition, while the tree was prized for multiple uses. The wood was used to make ropes, tent poles and for boat building; the leaves for roofs and fencing, and weaving into baskets, fans and mats. The fruit itself was used to make syrup, while the seeds were used to create soap and cosmetics.
Farmers in the UAE still treat their trees as members of the family, because of this long bond which has helped sustain several generations.
Nutritional value per 100 grams of dates
The date is nutritious high-energy food, especially when consumed with other foods. The main source of energy is carbohydrates.
Most of these carbohydrates are simple sugar: glucose and fructose (fuit sugar), and sucrose (white or table sugar).
Top 10 date producing countries
The Middle East and Asia are the main producers of dates among 35 countries, and the UAE has the eight position in the world.
Rank
- Egypt
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- Algeria
- Pakistan
- Iraq
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates
- Tunisia
- China, mainland
Essential for the life in the Gulf
The people of the Gulf counted on the trees for almost all their daily requirements. For instance, good quality dates were eaten by families, while lower-quality dates were fed to animals. Every part of this essential tree has been put to good use for centuries in the region – from forming the main framework for traditional houses to using its leaves to make mats, baskets and fans, and using the seeds to make soap and kohl eyeliner.
