Description

The date is the edible fruit of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). It is a fleshy, oblong fruit, 4 to 6 cm long, containing an elongated core, marked with a longitudinal furrow. Most often sold in the form of a dry date, it is a very energetic fruit.
The term "date" derives from the Greek dactulos, finger, in reference to the shape of this fruit.
Botanically, the date is a berry, because its pericarp is fully fleshy. The date kernel, wrapped in the membranous endocarp, is in fact a very hard seed, with horny albumen. Considered as one of the oldest cultivated plants, the date palm is present mainly in Mediterranean Africa, in the Middle East and in Asia. The date is the staple food of many populations. In addition, this fruit has a religious character for Muslims during the Ramadan period. Quantified data on world date production, on the price of dates as well as on exporting and importing countries complete this document (source: cirad)
 In addition to the fruit, which is harvested at 3 different stages of its growth (fresh, semi-dry and dry), we consume date "honey" (the juice of the pressed fruit), date sugar and sap sugar as well as the terminal bud of the palm tree and the heart of the tree. We also make an alcohol with sap and a coffee substitute with roasted and ground kernels.
As you can see from the definitions, a date is its own fruit, while a prune is really a plum. In fact, prunes are often called dried plums now, in an attempt to rid the food item of its negative, old-people connotations. Both dates and prunes: Are sweet and chewy We are one of the largest exporter of high quality fresh and dry dates in Saouth Africa. We can supply following varieties