AMMAN — During the holy month of
Ramadan, Jordanians
take great pride in having dates as a staple on their tables. This smart,
functional food is the first thing consumed to break a fast, as it swiftly
replenishes the body's energy levels.
اضافة اعلان
Experts worldwide hail dates as a wonder food, and Jordanian
dates, produced by 750,000 palm trees spanning across 45,000 dunums, are
renowned for their exceptional quality.
A recent study published in the International Journal of
Food Sciences and Nutrition has revealed the incredible health benefits of
dates. Bursting with vital nutrients, dates are a potent source of energy that
rapidly replenishes fasting individuals.
They not only safeguard the brain against inflammation and
oxidative stress, but also provide ample dietary fiber and are loaded with
natural antioxidants and total phenols, making them an outstanding dietary
supplement.
Dates in the KingdomAnwar Haddad, the head of the
Jordan Dates Association, said
that 40 percent of Jordanians' date consumption takes place during Ramadan. He
emphasized the importance of incorporating dates into one's diet year-round and
across all age groups, as they are regarded as smart, functional food.
Haddad noted that the dates industry currently adds an
estimated value of $50 million to the economy each year. However, projections
anticipate a substantial increase in this number, up to $150 million or even
$200 million in the years to come.
The dates industry currently adds an estimated value of $50 million to the economy each year.
This growth can be attributed to the fact that the
cultivated area of palm trees, which is currently at 20 percent of the
Jordan Valley's total area, is expected to continue expanding, according to Haddad.
He explained: "In Jordan, we have approximately 45
thousand dunums of palm farms, home to over 750,000 palm trees. Our production
stands at around 30,000 tonnes, with 20,000 tonnes of the premium Medjool
variety, followed by 13 percent of the Barhi variety and 7 percent of other
varieties."
The yearly increase in cultivated areas ranges between 12 to
15 percent, and there is both horizontal and vertical expansion in production,
he said. It is expected that the number of palm trees will reach one million in
just a few years.
Medjool renownHaddad also highlighted that there are approximately 500
palm farms in Jordan, with 350 specialized in cultivating the premium Medjool
type. Over 12,000 tonnes of dates, primarily Medjool, are exported to more than
15 countries worldwide, owing to their perennial popularity and high demand.
Jordanian Medjool dates have become a household name worldwide,
representing a sizable 15-percent share of the global Medjool market. Moreover,
Jordan ranks as the ninth country globally in terms of the export value of
dates of all types, and the 13th in terms of quantity exported to the
global market.
Haddad attributed the exceptional quality of Jordanian dates to farms' unique location in the Jordan Valley, which is situated below sea level and provides ideal conditions for natural ripening.
Medjool dates originally hail from Morocco and were
subsequently introduced to America and the Middle East. However, Haddad
attributed the exceptional quality of Jordanian dates to farms' unique location
in the
Jordan Valley, which is situated below sea level and provides ideal
conditions for natural ripening.
During the growing season, Medjool dates in Jordan mature
under gentle temperatures, akin to simmering on low heat, as Haddad put it. He
also emphasized the exceptional skill and expertise of Jordanian farmers in
cultivating and producing dates of unparalleled global quality
In regard to the export of Jordanian dates, he stated: "We
export 65 percent of our total production. Over the past five years, there has
been a surge in the establishment of state-of-the-art packaging industries and
workshops. Currently, there are about ten companies in Jordan specializing in
packaging, sorting, and storing dates, using top-notch international
technology."
Nutritional insight
Nutritionist Tahani Jazzazi noted that dates fall under the
category of dried fruits, and the nutritional value of dates varies between
different types.
Dates, Jazzai said, are rich in calories, with a 100-gram
serving of
Medjool dates containing 277 calories, primarily in the form of carbohydrates.
Dates are also rich in antioxidants, which play a crucial
role in combating aging and preventing diseases.
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