This term has been determined with reference to the shape of the fruit; the word "date" derives from Old Greek "daktylos" meaning "finger." Being a fruit of an emblematic tree of Saharan oases, the date grows on the date palm, thrives in a hot and dry weather uncommon in Europe.

Nevertheless, the date requires a lot of water, as the famous saying shows it, "feet in water and head to the sun."

Being an essential Bedouin food, dates have a golden colour, melting flesh and a nice sickly sweet taste. The date palm originates from arid areas in the Near and Middle East and North Africa.

At the beginning of their growth in late winter, dates come in rounded green fruit. They acquire their final size, yellow colour, aroma and sweet taste after the great heat. They are harvested in October.


There are several varieties of dates that differ by their shape (cylindrical or somewhat shorter) and texture (more or less soft):

Deglet Nour (finger of light) : has a melting flesh and sickly sweet flavour, considered the best of all, it is named after its translucent colour, its appearance and shape. It is a specialty of Tunisia and Algeria.

Kenta : half-dry, golden light, the least sweet..

Allig: harvested in November, its colour is dark mahogany, with semi-soft texture. It is long, very tasty flavour.

Khouat Allig : looks like "Allig" but its shape is thinner with less sweet flesh.

The dates is reminiscent of the subtlety of Eastern and Mediterranean cooking traditions and calls for spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger, cloves...), mix with butter, almonds, pistachios and other nuts, poultry (pigeons, quail , duck), white meat as well as lamb.

Food value By portion of 40g (5-6 dates)
Daily content	%value
Calories 120
Lipids	0%
Cholesterol	0%
Glucids	11%
Protein
Sodium 0mg	11%
Potassium	15%
Vitamine A : 0% Calcium : 2% Vitamine C : 0% Iron : 2%

As for cheese, combine dates, figs, raisins with goat or sheep cheese. Some dates cut into pieces might substitute raisins in home-made scones.