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 minutes

Aufnahme einer Savannen-ähnlichen Landschaft.

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.

Drei Männer in einer Dattel-Plantage ernten eine Dattelpalme.

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.

Bild einer erntereifen Dattelpalme von unten.

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.

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

Thanks for your registration

Collection: Fresh from the Oasis: Dates, The Desert Miracle