Love for dates remains intact

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Over the years, the dishes that mark the break of  fast during Ramzan, have undergone many changes. The porridge and the chutney have been replaced by more delicious non vegetarian delicacies. But what has remained intact is the love for dates. More than two dozen varieties of dates are brought from different parts of the Gulf countries to Kerala during the time. They have turned a must-haves in Iftar parties too. “The market has been filled with around 30 varieties of dates, many of them quite new to the people here,” says P B Siddique, owner of General Traders, who has been engaged in supplying dates in the city, for almost a decade now.Besides UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Oman, dates are being imported from countries like Tunisia and Turkey too. The Barari dates which stimulate the taste buds with their sweetness and soft texture have become an instant hit in the  market ever since their launched here.  Maryami dates produced in Iran is another much sought after product in the  market. Due to its  sweetness, black and fleshy coating, Maryami is  widely used in Masjids for breaking the fast. Apricots imported from Turkey are also in demand during this time. The yellowish tint imparts a distinct look to the Turkish dates. But the price tag on the Apricot brand is rather high, keeping the common man away from purchasing it. One kilo apricot will drain Rs 500 off your purse. Fardh, which is the darling of the market, rules over other varieties of dates because it is dry and can be stored in the  open air  for more than two months. Fardh is slightly bigger and is available at a reasonable price - Rs 70  per kilo.The ordinary dates that were available in the market in the past were rich in sugar content and deprived of fibres. However, they were enough to put diabetes patients to test as they had no other option to break the fast. Yasna dates from Iran now offer a solution. According to traders, they are suited for diabetes patients as they have reduced sugar content. The real star among the dates are the Ajwa dates. These dates are grown in the many regions of Medinah. Ajwa, which was termed by the Prophet as the dates from paradise, have profound respect among the  Muslim society. They are highly priced too, often crossing Rs 1,500 for a kilo.  ‘’Due to the high price, Ajwa is often imported only after receiving requests from the  buyers,” says Siddique.Not just dates, dry fruits are also a biggest attraction during Ramzan season, which are being flown from Afghan and Pakistan. But unlike in the past, dates are not just seen in Muslim households now. “People from different faiths are flocking in, dates are no longer consumed by Muslims alone,” says Siddique. It seems the love for dates is here to stay, for all seasons.