April showers bring May flowers, as the poem goes… and these flowers are the starting point for the bounty of fruit we find on this planet!
When thinking about the rich variety of fruits in the world, whether ancient or modern, how many varieties can you think of that are solely consumed after being dried? For me, one of the best comes to mind – the delectable fruit of the date palm tree.
Historical Dates
The date palm is one of the oldest fruit bearing trees in existence, with fossilized remains of ancestor plants traced back to over 50 million years ago! It wasn’t until about 4,000 BCE that the date palm was domesticated and harvested for its sticky sweet fruit in what is now known as modern day Iraq.
Flourishing in drier, desert-like climates with water near the surface, date palms likely originated and thrived most predominantly in the Middle East, some parts of the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, and South Asia.
The scientific name of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, comes from ancient Greek and Latin. Historically, the coastal region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan Valley was known as Phoenicia, where the date palm grew abundantly. It became known as Phoenix, or tree of Phoenicia, and was a symbol of the region, featured on ancient Phoenician coins. The word dactylifera translates to “finger bearing”, a reference to the shape of dates and the way they grow in clusters.
Dates in Mythology
Greek mythology also connects the date palm to the immortal Phoenix. According to mythology, the phoenix bird built its nest atop the date palm tree. After 500 years, the bird would catch fire from the flames of the sun and would be reborn from its own ashes. Some legends say that the date palm would die and come back to life along with the famous bird.
A Very Important Date
I tasted my first date as a child, when my sister Niki’s Nonos (godfather in Greek), Pythagoras Papastamatiou, the famed Greek lyricist and playwright brought them to our family after a trip abroad.
I remember my sister was so proud of this precious present Pythagoras brought our family – though he was her godfather, he was close with our whole family, and always brought back unique and interesting gifts from his travels.
On this occasion, we watched intently as he pulled out a frond with all the dates still attached, and laid it on the table. Neither my siblings nor I had ever seen date fruit before, so we were all fascinated by what he had brought. Silently, he plucked a date from the frond and brought it to his lips waiting for us all to do the same. He then gently bit into the date halfway up, and pulled out the back half with the pit, and we did the same.
I was struck by the slightly sticky, almost creamy texture of the date, combined with the intensely sweet, caramel-like flavor of the flesh – it was heavenly! It was almost like eating great chocolate, as it melted on my tongue. Immediately, my siblings and I all dove to grab as many as we could, but my sister quickly grabbed the frond, and doled them out fairly to each of us, which we gobbled up with glee.
Pythagoras shared with us that his friend had brought these dates back from the Emirates, and swiftly pulled out another frond for each of us to have. He explained where dates came from, how they grew, and how other countries and cultures used dates in their cuisine, both in savory and sweet dishes. He told us that not only were they consumed in the fruit form, but also made into a syrup similar to honey, and into a sugar as well.
Date of Affairs
Dates are sold both fresh and dried, but even the fresh, ripe dates have already lost about thirty percent of their moisture after falling from the date palm tree. Dates ripen from green to yellow to golden-brown and are typically left on the palm tree to dry, which prolongs their shelf life. Indeed, dates have a lofty shelf life, lasting for many months on end.
Though there are many date varieties, the most popular come from Morocco, Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Israel, and the Emirates most predominantly, and more recently from California as well. Some are creamier, others chewier; some are a light amber brown, others a deep chocolatey color; some with smooth skin, others more wrinkled.
No matter the date, the health benefits are substantial – though dates are high in sugar — on average containing about 70%-80% by volume — the sugar found in dates is fructose, and as such, easier for those with blood sugar issues to consume and digest. Dates are also high in fiber, which helps control blood sugar levels, and contain vitamins and minerals which support bone health.
Dates are also high in antioxidants, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acid, and they have anti-inflammatory properties, all of which help in the prevention of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, and support overall brain health.
But remember, before adding anything new to your diet, always ask your doctor.
Anytime is a Good Time for a Date
Between the textural flexibility, sugar content, and flavor, incorporating dates into recipes is not only easy, but fun as well!
Most simply, dates stuffed with nuts and/or cheese are a perfect pairing – try stuffing a date with a tangy Feta cheese, or a milder Manouri cheese, topped with chopped walnuts for an added crunch. The salty-sweet combination is the perfect hors d’oeuvre or snack for any occasion, and looks great too.
Use dates as a binder for baked goods, or add them to a smoothie for a sweet kick. Chop them and add them as a garnish for salads, soups, and even pasta dishes. Or, add them to a braise for a balanced sweet undertone, and bonus thickening agent effect, like in a Moroccan tagine. Combine date syrup with vinegar and olive oil for a beautiful, unexpected vinaigrette.
You can also make a simple date paste using dates, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, which can be stored for a week or so in the refrigerator, or for months in the freezer. Use it on toast, as a garnish for a charcuterie board, or as a glaze for your preferred protein.
Date Night
When I travel, I always bring snacks with me, in particular pecans and dates, which for me are a perfect pairing: sweet and nutty, creamy and crunchy – the ideal balanced bite! On Emirates Airlines, they welcome me with a box of dates when I settle into my seat, which is how I began incorporating them into my travel snack routine! So, now that you know all about dates, why not make a date with dates and incorporate them into your dishes, or eat them as a healthy snack – consider it a personal date night!
