ALZKRI

Product description Dates are the berry fruits of the date palm of the palm family (Palmae, Arecaceae), which may reach up to *5 m in height. The date palm is one of the oldest cultivated plants and is probably native to the area around the Arabian Gulf. The date palm is dioecious, and only a few male palms are kept; the female trees are pollinated by hanging pollen-impregnated cotton cloths over the female inflorescences, which then develop up to **0 dates per fruit spike. The single-seeded oval berry fruit, approximately the size of a plum, is golden yellow to brownish red in color and has soft flesh and an inedible stone. The water content of dates is reduced to *0% by natural or artificial drying. The latter process is preceded by immersion in boiling sodium hydroxide solution. Sometimes the stones, which constitute *5% of the fruit, are left in, resulting in dates with an attractive rounded appearance; the dates may on the other hand be stoned, but then have a sunken appearance. Quality / Duration of storage Good dates are light brown and shiny, do not stick to one another and are not infested with mites. The most popular variety is the Sakeri from Saudi Arabia, which is light brown and has soft juicy flesh and a shiny appearance. Old or incorrectly handled goods have a dull appearance and dry floury flesh and lack the distinctive sweet flavor. Dates may become sour as a result of inadequate processing or an excessively long storage period. Sour fruit can only be used as animal feedstuff. Provided that the recommended storage temperature and relative humidity are complied with, dried dates may be kept for approx. 6 - *2 months.