Dates and Fig Food Facts
Dates
Date production in the world is only confined to a small number of countries, most of them being the Arab countries. However, the date industry in the Arab world is not yet fully developed and concerted efforts are still needed to fully utilize the tremendous potential of date substances as ingredients in processed foods for export and the local market.
Dates are considered a delicious addition to confectioneries and food around the world. Palestinians make excellent cookies with dates. Afghans add dates and figs to their cakes.
Here in the U.S., dates are added to pudding, breads, spreads, and even sparkling date juices.
Date pectin, dietary fiber and syrup are some of the date substances which can find a plethora of applications as a thickener or gelling agent in processed foods, i.e., confectionery products, jams, table jellies, soft cheeses, yogurts, etc.
Dates are one of the sweetest fruits and may contain up to 70 percent sugar. California and Arizona are the major suppliers for the United States, however, Africa and the Middle East have been growing them for 4000 years.
A date cluster can weigh up to 25 pounds.
A date supplies 250 percent more potassium than an orange and 64 percent more than a banana ounce for ounce.
The look, feel and taste of date depends largely on the glucose, fructose and sucrose content within.
