FAQs

Welcome to our comprehensive FAQ page! Your satisfaction and a smooth shopping experience are very important to us. For this reason, we have created this informative page to provide you with many important answers to frequently asked questions.

We understand that sometimes questions may arise that are not included on this page. If your specific question is not answered, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to assist you. You can reach us through our contact form, and we will take care of your request.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest producers of dates in the world. The kingdom hosts large date plantations in the desert region, where date palms thrive thanks to the hot and dry climate. Saudi Arabian dates are known for their natural flavor and delicate texture.

As a company, we can ensure that the raising and cultivation of date trees is organic and safe by taking various measures:

1. Eco-certifications: We work with reputable organic certification bodies that visit the farms and verify compliance with organic guidelines. These certification bodies ensure that date farmers use organic farming methods and adopt environmentally friendly practices.
2. Regular farm visits: We ourselves regularly visit our farms to ensure that cultivation and growing methods meet the required standards. These visits allow us to verify working conditions, assess the condition of the date trees and ensure that no harmful chemicals are used.
3. Friendly relationships with farmers: We place great emphasis on building and maintaining friendly relationships with our date farmers. Through close collaboration and regular interaction, we can build trust and ensure that farmers understand and respect our high standards for organic production and safety. By regularly testing fruit and soil samples, we and our farmers can ensure that our date palms are growing in healthy soil and that the fruit is free of harmful residues.
4. Transparency and traceability: we are committed to transparency along the supply chain and track the origin of our dates. Accurate documentation allows us to track the entire process, from growing to harvesting and processing, and ensure that all steps comply with organic farming and safety guidelines.

These measures allow us to give our customers confidence that the raising and cultivation of our dates is organic and safe. We take the responsibility for sustainable and environmentally friendly production seriously and always strive to implement best practices throughout our supply chain.

How are dates harvested?

Date harvesting is a traditional process carried out in date palm plantations. Here are the basic steps for date harvesting:

1. Determining the optimal time to harvest: dates are harvested when they have reached the right degree of ripeness. This timing varies depending on the date variety and the desired flavor. Ripe dates have a characteristic color and are soft, sweet and juicy.
2. Climbing harvesters: since date palms can reach an impressive height, skilled harvesters climb up the palms to reach the date panicles. They use special harnesses and safety equipment to work safely up the palms.
3. Harvesting date panicles or individual dates: Dates grow on panicles located on the palm branches. Harvesters either carefully cut the entire panicle for later processing on the ground or pick only individual dates if the ripening process of dates on a panicle has progressed differently.
4. Sorting and cleaning: After harvesting, date panicles are inspected for quality and freed from excess leaves and twigs. This step serves to prepare the dates for further processing and the packaging process.
5. Sorting by quality and size: The dates are sorted and categorized by size and quality. This sorting ensures that we receive dates that meet our requirements.
6. Packing and shipping: After sorting, the dates are packed into our different packing sizes and prepared for refrigerated shipping to United Kingdom.

Date harvesting requires care and experience to ensure that the dates are of the highest quality. This process often involves manual labor and respects the centuries-old tradition of date cultivation.

Dates have spots, is that mold?

Especially with our fresh date varieties, it can happen that fine, whitish sugar crystals form on the surface or spots appear under the date skin. These are usually the crystallized fructose from the fruit. However, if you are not sure whether everything is okay with the date, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Why are some dates soft and others hard?

The "soft" dates are fresh dates, which are in a constant cold chain after harvest and thus retain their original consistency. The "hard" dates are sun-dried and harvested in a "late harvest.". The fruit juice content is reduced by the intense sunshine. This sun-air drying process is the most natural way to preserve fruit for years without the addition of preservatives. It is therefore possible to store these dates at room temperature, and the quality of the dates remains steadily the same, the vitamins and minerals are all preserved in the fruit. If the dates are placed in water, it does not take long for them to become soft again. This is because dates are hygroscopic and can release and reabsorb moisture.

Which dates are suitable for smoothies?

For a delicious smoothie with fresh dates, the dates of the Mazafati variety are best suited, as this date has a very creamy consistency and hardly any date fibers. Furthermore, the Medjool and Sukkari varieties are also excellent for preparing a smoothie. For more recipe ideas, feel free to visit our Recipes category on our website.

Where is the best place to store dates?

Fresh dates should be stored in the refrigerator at the coldest possible temperature to optimally preserve the juicy consistency of the flesh. Stored at room temperature in the air, the fruit will dry out. As long as dates are stored at room temperature in an airy place and not in sealed packaging, there is no risk of rot. Fresh dates can be kept in the refrigerator for one year, just like dried dates in the kitchen cupboard.