Dates are one of the most delectable fruits on the planet. There are so many different kinds of dates that it’s difficult to pick. They’re also available in both fresh and dried versions. The date is an important element of the Arab diet, especially for people who live in the desert. The fruit is rich in sugar, accounting for up to 70% of its weight, but it is also an excellent source of protein and vitamins A and B.
Arab nomads may often go for months without eating anything but dates and milk. Unlike many other fruits, Dates are highly delicious when picked, and their high sugar content allows them to be self-preserving. Dates are frequently misunderstood. Almost 90% of the dates we eat aren’t fresh; they’ve been matured to a soft, moist, and very sweet product. Dates are firm, gritty, a little chalky, and not particularly sweet when they are fresh.
Allow fresh dates to cure before using them in bread, puddings, or simply eating them raw. Dates are rich in potassium, iron, and niacin. The “string” or stem of soft Buah Kurma Malaysia is marketed. When unripe, they resemble little golden tomatoes, but they become dark, sticky, and wrinkled as they ripen.
What Are Dates?
There are many different types of dates, but only a handful are accessible in the United States. Most dates are allowed to “cure” and dry a little on the trees before being plucked so that they will last longer once collected. They’ll still be pretty soft, but they’ll have a bit more bite to them. Fresh dates can be available at supermarkets, specialist food stores, and farmers’ markets. Fresh dates have a high sugar content, which increases as the fruit dries; as a result, fresh dates have a different flavour and texture than sugared dates.
How to use Dates
Fresh dates are great on their own or with a cup of coffee or mug of tea to balance off the sweetness. However, they may be eaten in a variety of ways, from savory appetizers to sweet sweets. However, before you begin, you must first eliminate the pits. The pit will readily pop out if you slice the date lengthwise. Fresh dates can be split in half, put on toast with honeyed ricotta cheese, or diced and sprinkled over ice cream. You may also serve them pitted and stuffed with blue cheese as an appetizer or in a tagline, a slow-cooked Moroccan stew. On the other hand, dates are commonly used in baked products to give sweetness and texture to cakes, bread, and cookies.
Where Can I Purchase Fresh Dates?
Because palm trees thrive in the desert, the fruit is harvested between September and March, making it fall and winter. When dates are in season, farmers’ markets in Malaysia may have them. Certain producers send them out by mail, and they may also be purchased at specialist stores and, in some cases, Middle Eastern marketplaces. Fresh dates may be available packed or in bulk at your local store, depending on where you reside.
Although fresh dates may be wrinkled, they should not be hard. Look for plump dates and have a little sheen on their skin. Avoid dates with crystallized sugar on their skins since this indicates that they are not as fresh as you would want. Dried dates are available in boxes or packets all year and are frequently seen in the baking section.
How to store dates?
When kept in an airtight container at room temperature, dates will last up to one month. However, the flavour of the dates may deteriorate with time, so consume them within a week for the best results. Store the dates in the refrigerator, wrapped in a glass or plastic container or zip-top bag, for extended storage or to retain their freshness. Freezing is the way to go if you have a huge number or want to retain the dates for a long time. Before freezing, portion them out into little containers; they’ll defrost nicely and maintain their flavour.