Sukari dates

A real treat for the taste buds, sukari dates represent one of the best qualities of date palm fruit in the Middle East. Renowned the world over for their impressive flavour, they sell like hotcakes all year round. Their high added value during the Ramadan period and their price, which is three times higher than that of ordinary dates, do nothing to curb their consumption.

The sukari date: a sweet straight from Arabia

When people talk about dates, they often use images to describe them. Some marketers have described them as "the sweet that grows on trees". This hyperbolic description fits the sukari date perfectly. Not least because its Arabic name means "sweet".

In fact, this noble sweet grows exclusively on date palm farms in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. In fact, this is the largest valley on the Arabian Peninsula known for its market garden production (citrus fruits, grapes, pomegranates, sukari dates): the famous Wadi Ar-roummah.

Unlike other regions of Arabia, this unique ecosystem in the heart of the desert is characterised by torrid summers and cold, rainy winters. Fluctuating temperatures and the diversity of crops grown in tiers (vine, orange grove, date palm) mean that the dates produced are of the highest quality.

Sukari dates are harvested between August and October. At this time, the dates are "rutab" (half-ripe) or perfectly ripe. They are then stored at a temperature of minus eighteen degrees. This method of packaging in no way detracts from the fruit's properties. Sukari dates do not freeze. It retains its texture and freshness.

The sukari date: an incredible texture and taste

When you taste sukari dates for the first time, you'll quickly be impressed. Gone are the days of supermarket dried dates sold in white tubs. Although the Algerian deglet nour is exquisite, the sukari date has its own identity.

Melting and honey-like, it has a light caramelised flavour. Its conical shape reveals slight wrinkles on a brown skin with a yellowish tinge. About the size of a small grape, its smooth flesh reveals the stone gently. Quite the opposite of the large date where the hard part is disturbing.

The added bonus of the sukari date is that it's easy to eat. In fact, this fruit is not eaten by the handful. Three dates are enough to fill you up. The natural sugar and consistency of the sukari date speak for themselves.

In fact, this exotic fruit has been making a name for itself in France for the last ten years or so. And it's certainly the returns of Hajj and 'Umrah pilgrims that have helped to make this quality of date known in France.

And the seduction has paid off, with sukari dates now available in large numbers from online retailers.

Calorific and nutritional benefits of Qassim dates

Bear in mind that sukari dates have been a staple food in central Saudi Arabia for centuries. And this alongside camel milk, barley and meat for special occasions.

The sukari date is a healthy food with countless benefits.

Firstly, the date's natural sugar strengthens the stomach and the body in intense heat, where hunger is not necessarily felt. Nevertheless, for us in Europe, it remains an excellent remedy for coping with winter and boosting the immune system.

This Saudi date is rich in four types of carbohydrate: fructose, dextrose, sucrose and maltose. It's an immediate and significant source of energy to start the day. But be careful not to eat too many dates, as they can cause tooth decay if you don't brush your teeth properly.

So remember that sukari dates should be eaten sensibly. Choose them for breakfast or to break the fast during Ramadan.

And don't forget, the sukari date is a dried fruit. As a result, it contains a multitude of nutrients that the body needs. In particular, the so-called essential ones that the body cannot synthesise. These include potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

These trace elements are important for the proper functioning of muscles and for regulating blood pressure. So, like the banana, the sukari date is one of the fruits richest in potassium.

The other little extras of this sweet treat

Having covered the main nutritional functions of the sukari date, we'll concentrate on the secondary aspects.

Slightly laxative, the Saudi fruit aids digestion and combats temporary constipation. Fat-free, it is also rich in fibre. This helps keep the intestines healthy. It also helps combat the build-up of fat in the body.

This nutritional quality is particularly evident at the heart of Rutab. The sukari date, picked when half ripe, is much higher in fibre and sugar content.

The last surprising and unexpected aspect of the sukari date is its vegetable protein content. As well as fibre, it also helps to burn fat while regulating the appetite.

While it's true that the fruit of the date palm is hearty, it also has a strong appetite regulating effect. This high energy intake is highly recommended for top-level athletes.

The final point to raise concerns a study carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Jordan. Their work highlighted the benefits of a diet rich in high-quality dates. It is thought to reduce bleeding and make it easier to manage the post-natal period.

To leave you with some good thoughts on this vast subject, it's a good idea to offer sukari dates to your guests as a small snack. The quality of this exceptional fruit means you can enjoy a sumptuous dish that bursts in the mouth.