Gourmet Delight: Zahedi date

What is the Zahedi date?

Zahedi date is an amazing product. It is both fruit and nut, experts say it is also food! Its racial diversity is amazing, you can say that there is a date for every taste. If you are a fan of snacks, or too much sweetness bothers you, or if you sometimes don’t have time to eat and feel weak, read this.

In this article, we are going to introduce a delicious crispy date; Zahedi date or Qasab date, which takes its name from the Arabic Zahdi meaning abundance and wealth. Being crispy does not mean fragility for dates, but it means not too soft and can be felt under the teeth. This sweet and relatively dry date has an elongated oval shape with two pointed ends. Its fruit is yellow in the raw or Kharak stage, light brown in the moist or Rotab stage, and reddish-brown to pale yellow in the date stage.

Most of its production and export take place in the Middle East. The most reliable date for export in Iran is the Zahedi date, which is also known as Qasab in some regions. This date is one of the most popular and best-selling dates due to its special color, wonderful taste, and of course its maintenance and very simple storage conditions.

This date is also consumed semi-dry and dry, which has a bright yellowish color, which of course changes to yellowish-brown when moist. In general, Zahedi dates are classified in the range of dry dates.

Where does Zahedi come from?

Zahedi dates are cultivated in different parts of Iran and its palm is one of the palm trees resistant to different tropical weather conditions. Date farmers in the cities of Kazerun, Khorramshahr, Ahvaz, Qir and Karzin, Farashband, Borazjan, Bushehr, Firozabad, Lar, Khuzestan, and sometimes in other cities of Iran cultivate it well. In Iraq and parts of the United States, many groves grow Zahedi date.

Properties and benefits

Dates are generally a rich and concentrated source of nutritious minerals, but these substances exist in different proportions and percentages on different dates, and each type of date has a slight difference in characteristics, depending on the growing environment and storage conditions.

Due to its semi-arid and dry nature, Zahedi dates can have a higher density of minerals. Although in its type of consumption, which is mainly raw, the fruit has not yet gone through the chemical reactions related to full ripening, it has a pleasant freshness and crispness.

In addition to its high and available energy, this date contains all kinds of vitamins, magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium which in total have many benefits for different parts of the body. It reduces harmful cholesterol in the blood, is good for heart health, and is full of fiber, which is highly recommended for digestive disorders. It has antioxidants to prevent cancer, its fructose sugar is suitable for regulating blood sugar and weight loss, it has manganese that soothes the nerves, and it has potassium that relieves fatigue and muscle pain, especially after hard workouts.

Collection and consumption

Date farmers usually harvest Zahedi dates in late summer to early fall. Due to its semi-dry nature, it easily falls to the ground near the time of harvest, and of course, it is a late-ripening date. The moist version of this date is high in sugar, and for this reason, it is widely used in the production of edible sugars or alcohol and vinegar. The flesh of the Zahedi date is 6.35% compared to the seed. Its seed is almost attached to the date flesh. It is widely used due to its relatively low price and rich properties. Especially diabetics can use it instead of sweets.

In Iran, thousands of tons are harvested annually, part of which goes to the market, and a large part is prepared for export.

Storage conditions and shelf life

The strength point of this date compared to juicy dates is its simple storage and transportation conditions. Although this date does not have juice or syrup, it is easily available, it does not need a refrigerator to move it, its storage does not have a time or temperature limit, and it does not require cold storage. In fact, Zahedi is considered a very nutritious dried fruit that you can easily carry with you and eat whenever you want.

The problem of intruders

However, one point should not be overlooked; This date is not only delicious for us humans but there are also many insects and pests in our living environment that are very interested in sweet things, especially if it is so nutritious! Unlike Mazafati dates, the possibility of worming and spoiling this date is very high. Of course, you can solve this problem by improving the conditions and keeping it in a closed container at the right temperature.

Iranian Zahedi dates or Iraqi Zahedi dates?

There are some differences between Iraqi Zahedi dates and Iranian Zahedi dates. Here are a few differences:

Origin: Iraqi Zahedi dates originate from Iraq, while Iranian Zahedi dates come from Iran. The specific growing regions and environmental conditions in these countries can influence the characteristics of these dates.

Taste and Texture: Iraqi Zahedi dates are a slightly sweeter taste compared to Iranian Zahedi dates. Iranian Zahedi dates, on the other hand, are drier and less sweet. Texture-wise, Iraqi Zahedi dates are typically softer and juicier, while Iranian Zahedi dates are firmer and drier.

Color: There can vary in the color of Zahedi dates from Iraq and Iran. Iraqi Zahedi dates often have a darker brown, while Iranian Zahedi dates tend to be lighter in color, ranging from golden yellow to light brown.

it is common practice to store Iraqi Zahedi dates in plastic bags with some moisture to help maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out. The moisture in the bag helps retain the natural moisture content of the dates and keeps them soft and plump. This method of storage is particularly beneficial for Iraqi Zahedi dates, as they have a higher moisture content compared to some other date varieties.

Storing the dates in plastic bags with a slight amount of moisture creates a microenvironment that helps preserve their texture and flavor. It is important to ensure that the bags are sealed properly to prevent any moisture loss or exposure to air, which can lead to the dates becoming dry and less enjoyable to consume.