Farmers in Madinah Kick Off Date Harvesting Season
In the bustling city of Madinah, farmers have rolled up their sleeves and started the annual date harvesting season. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the palm fruit has reached its peak ripeness, making it the perfect time for the harvest.
The Art of Date Palm Ripening
The process of ripening date palms is a meticulous one, with several stages involved. It all begins with pollination and progresses to thinning, where excess fruit is removed to ensure optimal growth. The dates are then carefully bagged in palm fronds to shield them from the scorching heat of the sun before they are ready to be harvested.
Preserving Quality Post-Harvest
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Radadi, the chairman of the Madinah Dates Cooperative Association, emphasized the importance of post-harvest practices in maintaining the quality of the final product. Recent studies have shown that storing dates at 4 degrees Celsius for six months not only preserves the fruit but also enhances its nutritional value by boosting phenols and antioxidants. This process essentially doubles the nutritional value of dates after a year of preservation.
The Unique Qualities of Dates
Al-Radadi highlighted the versatility of dates, noting that they can be consumed at different ripening stages. From the “khalal” stage, where the fruit changes color, to the “rutab” stage, where it softens, and finally to the “tamr” stage, when the date is fully ripe and can be enjoyed moist or dry. The intense sunshine in the Kingdom has led to dates developing more phenols, providing protection against various diseases.
A Variety of Dates
Currently, consumers can enjoy a variety of dates such as ajwa, sukkari, and medjool. Later in the season, safawi, anbarah, barni, and shalaby dates will also be available for all date enthusiasts to savor.