Dates (the eating kind)

[Guest guest]

Hi to ALL,

I love Dates, mainly the Medjol Dates, these dates are the big kind,

not the ones you may find in the tight air plastic container produced

by Dole, they are fresh, and soft and sweet as can be. They are

concentrated and have so much sweetness so you cant eat too many at a

time, but they are very good for you too. Here is some information on

the benefits of eating Dates.

http://www.online-family-doctor.com/fruits/dates.html

Date-palm is a tree of the Phoenix dactylifera of the palm family.

The date-palm grows about 23 metres (75 ft) tall and its stem is

strongly marked with pruned stubs of old leaf bases, terminates in a

crown of graceful, shining, pinnate leaves about 5 metres long. Male

and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Under cultivation,

the female flowers are artificially pollinated. The date is a one-

seeded fruit or berry usually oblong but varying in shape,

size,colour, quality and consistency of flesh according to the

condition of culture. More than 1000 dates may appear in a single

bunch weighing 8 kg or more. The dried fruit is more than 50% sugar

by weight and contains about 2% each of protein, fat and mineral

water. Syrup, alcohol, vinegar and strong liquor are derived from the

fruit. The sap is also used as a beverage either fresh or fermented

but because the method of 'extraction seriously injures the palm,

only those trees that produce little fruit are used for sap. When a

palm is cut down, the tender terminal bud is eaten as salad. Date-

sugar, a commercial product of India, is obtained from the sap of a

closely related species Phoenix sylvestris.

The fresh fruit is nutritious, tonic and mild laxative. It contains

vitamins A and B, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and alkaloids.

Its infusion with milk is nourishing and restorative tonic; for this

reason it is given during convalescence from fevers and small-pox.

The fruit is very good for cough and cold, asthma, laryngitis, chest

complaints, fevers, dysentery and liver complaints. Taking dates with

milk early in the morning during winter months is found to be a

better tonic than other ordinary tonics and is very easily available

at that time. Syrup prepared from dates is also useful in cases of

diarrhoea, marasmus, diabetes insipidus.

Benefit and uses of Dates.

A gum that exudes from the wounded trunk is employed in India for

treating diarrhea and genito-urinary ailments.

High-energy date fruits have been placed high on the diets of the

health conscious.

Dates are also recommended for women in the post-partum period and

lactating due to its value as a nutritious, high-energy food.

In the form of an infusion, decoction, sirup or paste, is

administered as a treatment for sore throat, colds, bronchial

catarrh. It is taken to relieve fever, cystisis, gonorrhea, edema,

liver and abdominal troubles.

Bedouin Arabs, who eat them on a regular basis, show an extremely low

incidence rate of cancer and heart disease.

http://www.annecollins.com/diet_nutrition/dates.htm

Dates

Diet Nutrition

Fresh dates are much lower in calories than dried dates. For example,

4 oz fresh dates contain 100 calories while 4 oz dried dates contain

250 calories. All dates are high in iron and potassium and contain

modest amounts of folate and a small amount of vitamin A, and the B

vitamins. Dates are beneficial for anemia, constipation and fatigue.

Calories in Dates:

4 oz/100g = 250 calories

http://www.medjooldates.com/nutrition.html

Nutrition

The Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers Association would like you to

know how good (and good for you!) Medjool Dates are.

Are you aware Medjool Dates contain NO SODIUM* and NO CHOLESTEROL.

They are also a good source of dietary fiber and are surprisingly low

in in calories!

- They are indeed UNQUESTIONABLY THE BEST -

A Brief History

Dates may be the oldest tree crop cultivated by man. More that 5,000

years ago this valuable food plant helped sustain desert peoples and

nomadic wanderers of the Middle East and North Africa. Dates were

also considered a delicacy and served by royalty. Dates were

introduced in California in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries.

At times, dates are referred to as the " candy that grows on trees. "

For More, Visit Our History Page.

Storing Tips

Store dates in tightly closed containers in the freezer or

refrigerator.

When stored frozen, in an airtight container, dates can retain their

quality for up to one year.

Sugar crystals may appear on or beneath the skin over time. Low heat

will desolve these crystals. Do not overheat or the sugars will

caramelize.

Seasonality

Most varieties are available year round with supplies peaking October

to December.

Preparation Tips

Dates are delicious when eaten fresh or added to muffins, cookies,

and salads. Dip them in chocolate or roll them in coconut for a

classic dessert. Use them for hor d'oeuvres by spreading cream cheese

or peanut butter.

The Food and Drug Administration encourages the use of these nutrient

values, researched by the Produce Marketing Association

There is a nurtitional chart on Dates on this link.

Enjoy!

Michele