Fresh from the Oasis: Dates, The Desert Miracle

Need some grounding? Let the world's oldest cultivated plant inspire you: The date palm's performance undoubtedly qualifies as a superpower. With its phenomenal adaptability, it provides delicious energy in scorching heat – For humans and animals, near and far, for decades on end.

Anna Moscagiuri

18.04.2024

in #Produkt-Stories

Lesedauer: 5 Minuten

A Sunny Ascent in Tunisia

Our dates start where caravans trek through the picturesque desert and the air shimmers with heat: The blazing south of Tunisia is a landscape that doesn't immediately scream cultivation and agriculture. Yet, the region is surprisingly fertile, thanks in part to the impressive Chott el Jérid – a massive salt lake that channels water from the northern mountains and gathers several oases around it. Massive evaporation leaves a lot of salt in the lake, sometimes forming crusts sturdy enough for trucks to drive on. Extreme heat and salt – conditions could be better. But when temperatures soar to 50°C plus and rain becomes scarce, an impressive plant reaches its peak performance: the graceful mother of all Seeberger dates.

Honey-Sweet Juicy Gems from Salty, Scorching Soil

For the majestic date palm, the conditions in Tunisia's hot desert are anything but barren. On the contrary: Under the broiling sun, it performs a spectacular natural miracle that almost makes you forget the region's natural beauties. Here, on salty-dry desert soil, it produces juicy-sweet fruits that are unrivaled in quality and taste. We're talking about the world's best dates: the "Deglet Nour".

Giants of the Landscape: The Date Palms

The "Fingers of Light," as Deglet Nour translates, grow on magnificent palms that reach up to 30 meters in height. These towering trees quite literally overshadow imposing structures like the Brandenburg Gate. Before bearing their first fruits, they spend a full eight years growing in the scorching desert sand. Once mature, they're ready to produce about 100 kilos of the finest dates every summer – for at least 30 years. This is possible because nature has devised a spectacle: pollination by air mail. You won't find busy bees here.

Pollen Dust Over Desert Sand

Like many other plants, date palms can have either male or female flowers. When the pollination period kicks off in late February, the male flowers release their light pollen en masse to the Saharan wind to reach the female flowers. Rain can be a problem during this time, as it washes the pollen out of the air and causes it to stick to the ground. To be on the safe side, farmers sometimes step in, deliberately bringing male and female flowers together.

Growing Up in a Protected Cluster

Four to six weeks later, the first dates come to light, growing in clusters similar to grapes. A cluster can bear up to 600 fruits, depending on the palm's age and health. From April to July, the sun takes over, providing the necessary warmth for the fruits to reach full ripeness. During this time, some farmers wrap loose nets around the clusters to protect them from insects and rain.

The Harvest: A Ritual of Skill

Seeberger dates are ready for harvest from October. But how do you get to them? There's only one way – up the palm. The harvest is a team effort: Experienced harvesters climb to the ripe fruits, cut off the bearing branches, and pass them down to colleagues below. Each branch is handed down from helper to helper until it reaches the ground. Every move is well-thought-out, each cut bundle a small treasure. After about half an hour, the palm is completely harvested, and the seasoned crew moves to the next tree. The next step for the dates is drying and pitting. This happens after a day trip to northern Tunisia.

A Delicate Touch for the Fingers of Light

In the hands of our experienced partners, the dates undergo their metamorphosis into coveted snack fruit: After a thorough selection and cleaning, they are given a quick steam bath that gently prepares them for pitting. During this process, each date enjoys full attention: They're hand-opened with a cut to remove the pit. Meanwhile, they're checked for insect infestation and other damage. If everything checks out, the desert fruits are dried to their target moisture level to achieve their delicious consistency and golden-brown appearance. From here, nothing stands in the way of their journey to us in Ulm.

Leaving Nothing Behind

Those who know us understand: We think holistically whenever possible. That's why we return the removed pits and insect-damaged fruits to the cycle, processing them into animal feed. The date clusters are also 100% utilized – the sturdy branches become baskets, while the delicate parts turn into natural fertilizer.

Driven by Honor for Product and Partners

Our relationship with Tunisia and its people is deeply rooted and characterized by respect and sustainability. We've been working hand in hand with local partners for over two decades, offering not only exquisite dates but also supporting the local community. Our partnership is based on trust, fairness, and a shared commitment to protecting and preserving the environment.

Enjoyment with a Clear Conscience

You are what you eat. As such, it only makes sense for us to show you how and where your snacks come to life. But enough talk – where are the stars? Grab your juicy-sweet dates from the palm garden of the Orient. Guaranteed from a good home and raised with love. <3