100 Days of Sun
The History of the Date
7,000 to 5,530 BC
There is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in Mehrgarh around 7000 BCE, a Neolithic civilization in what is now western Pakistan, and in eastern Arabia between 5530 and 5320 calBC.
800 BC to 53 BC
In Ancient Rome the palm fronds used in triumphal processions to symbolize victory were most likely those of Phoenix dactylifera. The date palm was a popular garden plant in Roman peristyle gardens, though it would not bear fruit in the more temperate climate of Italy.
It is recognizable in frescoes from Pompeii and elsewhere in Italy, including a garden scene from the House of the Wedding of Alexander.
50 AD
Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian, reported that during his time there were still groves of date palms near Jericho, around the lake of Galilee, on the Mount of Olives, and in and around Jerusalem.
1765
In later times, traders spread dates around southwest Asia, northern Africa, and Spain. Dates were introduced into Mexico and California by the Spaniards in 1765, around Mission San Ignacio.
1927
Walter Swingle, an American horticulturalist, brought 11 Medjool offshoots back to California from Morocco. Nine of the eleven survived and have become the source of the millions of Medjool dates grown today.
Now
The net balance of the different developments in the date industry over the last thirty to forty years is positive in spite of several countercurrents such as change in food habits away from dates, increasing labour scarcity and cost in the date gardens, war situations, and problems of water supply.
Nevertheless world date production has increased, cultivation methods and handling the crop have improved, the quality and yield/palm generally speaking are rising and there has developed a substantial date product diversification. In its persistence in surviving the trends against its continuation, the date palm is greatly helped by the traditional, historical ties with the date producer, the secondary benefits derived from it and the limited choice of alternative crops especially under the more extreme environmental situations.
Our Dates
Did you know, a good crop takes 100 days of 100 degrees or more? During this time, our farmers work on the fields to establish the best conditions to grow quality dates that our customers love.
Growing a date palm tree, pollinating the flowers, and harvesting the dates when they’re ripe require special tools, specific conditions, warm sunny climates, a great deal of commitment, and a lot of time and effort.
It’s an extremely involved and delicate operation.
• When a bud develops on the mother plant, it's about 7 years before it can
be removed.
• It then takes about 3 years for a rooted offshoot to bloom for the first time.
• It will be at least another 5 years before there is a substantial crop.
• It will take at least 10 years for a farmer to break even.
• It’s a year-long process to harvest the dates, and there is only one harvest
a year. One small mistake can cost a farmer a year’s work.
Honest to Date recognizes that Medjool date farmers deserve to be recompensed for their hard labor, skill, knowledge, and dedication.
Health Benefits
Here are some more health benefits of this incredible fruit:
Source of Dietary Fiber - An excellent source of dietary fiber, dates contain insoluble fiber, which is essential for healthy digestion and to prevent constipation and inflammation in the digestive tract.
Contains Soluble Fiber - Medjool dates contain soluble fiber, which lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol and prevent its absorption into your bloodstream, reducing the risk of heart disease. Soluble fiber may also help control blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure.
High in Disease-Fighting Antioxidants - Medjool dates boast several antioxidants, protecting cells from oxidative damage that can lead to diseases like cancer, heart disease, and brain ailments.
Packed with vitamins and minerals - Dates contain B vitamins, iron, phytonutrients, copper, selenium, and other minerals, including phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals may have the potential to prevent bone-related conditions like osteoporosis.
Good for Overall Health - Studies have shown that Medjool dates can stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, prevent DNA damage, and improve hormone regulation. They may also promote brain health.