Al Jufrah Date Producers and
Processors
Libya - Fruit, nuts and fruit preserves
The Al Jufrah oasis is situated in central Libya and in past centuries was the
crossroads for the caravan trails which connect the deep south to the coast and
the Middle East to the west along the 29° parallel. The palms of this area have
always produced dates that are considered the delicacy of the desert. The
traditional varieties of Al Jufrah (saiedi, kathari, bestian, hamria, abel, tagiat,
talis and the rare and delicious halima) are the best amongst over 400 different
local varieties present in Libya. For nomads, and the animals that helped them
cross the desert, dry dates were the food which ensured a high level of energy
despite the brutal temperatures and were considered precious goods to be
traded with cereal grains grown along the coast. Currently, Al Jufrah producers
sell the fruit fresh, untreated, or they preserve them pressed, transforming
them into syrups, vinegars and sweets. From the lymph of the palm they also
gather a thirst-quenching juice called lagbi, which is sweet and highly nutritious
and can also be caramelized.
Production area
Al Jufrah Oasis
Elia belardinelli - Giorgia tortorella
The world map of dates
The places with the higher concentration of dates palms are along the 29th parallel because along this parallel there is the perfect place to grow dates palm and also is one of the historic routes of the streets caravan traders who traded in dates
The date tree
In Arabic kathari means 'green color'. Kathari dates are one of the most important local date varieties. They are well adapted to the Al Jufrah area, in southern Libya, a production area where 20% of the area is made up of oases. In this area, a kathari tree produces on average 70 - 80 kg per year. It is a tree that grows slowly, resistant to the salinity of the soil and water and produces many shoots. It blooms in March, and the harvest phase is known as rutab and tamar . For their importance, the Dates of Al Jufrah have become one of Slow Food Presidia.
The importance of the fruit
The fruit has always had great importance in the daily life and economy of the desert populations. Dates are important in Arab culture; for example, the Arabic language has five different words to describe the five different stages of fruit development: hababouk (unripe, green), khalal / kimri (fresh, slightly astringent, juicy and fibrous, hard), rutab (moderately moist), tamar (overripe,
dry).
Dates in islamic religion
Dates are also linked to the Islamic religion, widely spread among the desert populations. They are mentioned in the Quran, for example, in the story of the birth of Isa (Jesus) in which Allah comes to the aid of Maryam (Mary) to alleviate her suffering during childbirth. Furthermore, the Prophet Mohammed mentions: 'When the end of the world comes, whoever has a palm sprout (date) in his hand will have to plant it'. The Al Jufrah area is full of proverbs and legends associated with these dates
chicken with dates recipe
Ingredients:
6 chicken legs (half and skinless) 500 g of fresh dates
3 onions a clove of garlic
half a teaspoon of ginger a pinch of saffron
a teaspoon of cinnamon a spoonful of honey
method
In a pan heat 3 spoons of oil, then brown the chicken until it is golden on all sides. Add the crushed garlic and the finely chopped onions and brown them together with the chicken. Salt. Add dl. 3.5 of water, ginger and saffron and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes. Then add the honey, cinnamon and dates without the stone and finish cooking for another 10-15 minutes. Serve the chicken hot. You can accompany it with pilaf rice or cous cous whole wheat
Sara Aluigi - Linda Cannoni
HISTORY AND CURIOSITY OF DATES
The date palm is the classic symbol of an
oasis, and has played an important role
in ancient human settlements in the
deserts of the Middle East, North Africa
and northwestern India. Its name comes
from the Greek "daktylos" (finger) due to
the shape that resembles a phalanx.
Dates in the Middle East are very
widespread, we can find many date palms,
in fact, all people even in the desert
eat them.
They are affordable for everyone and are
also very important for religion and are
considered the fruit of paradise, they
are also mentioned in the Koran and are
important in the period of pregnancy.
They can be eaten both fresh and dried,
it was a symbol of strength and agility
for those who had to cross the desert, if
they were not eaten ripe they caused
nausea and skin problems.
Nicolò Caccioppini
The world map of dates
The map highlights the places with the greatest concentration of date palms and the 29th parallel, along which are the best areas in the world for palm cultivation and one of the historic routes of the caravan routes that traded dates.
Oasis of Al Jufrah
This is the region of Al Jufrah, in Libya and consists of a group of oases starting from 400 km from the coast and going down further south.
This vast region scattered with oases (Sokna, Waddan, Zellah, Hun and Al Fugha), has an important resource in date palms.
A wealth that has shaped the culture and habits of this country: from architecture to religion, from language to cuisine. Here life still flows in a traditional way and consequently also the cultivation techniques; this has helped to maintain the balance of the ecosystem .. Libya produces some of the best dates in the world. Dozens of different varieties have been preserved in this country: an extraordinary heritage that derives from a centuries-old history and that today's farmers carefully preserve to give hope to the desert of tomorrow. In fact, in Libya, there are still 400 different varieties, of which 95 are of commercial interest.
Al Jufrah has always been recognized as the ideal area for the composition of the soil, the abundant water reserves, the climate (seasons, temperatures, temperature ranges, humidity ...). The particularly fortunate characteristics of this area mean that the palms grow very easily: the cultivation, in fact, is organic, because no chemicals are used or for pesticide treatments. Dozens of different varieties are still grown in Al Jufrah today. These are local varieties, each with its own organoleptic characteristics, capable of surprising the most attentive and curious palates. Among the most common varieties are:
Kathari: highly appreciated, it remains soft throughout the year; it has a greenish-yellow fruit, oval, squat, with thick, hard skin and soft pulp.
Tagiat: has dark brown fruit, elongated oval, with smooth, thick and hard skin and soft pulp; it keeps pretty well.
AbeL: dry, easy to store and transport; it has oval fruit, smooth, thick skin, hard pulp, sweet but cheeky flavor.
Halima: considered a rare delicacy, it represents excellence in terms of dates. The fruits are larger than the average of other varieties, are pleasantly sweet and have a very soft texture
At one time, dates were used to provide sustenance for nomads and animals who lived and moved in the desert and were traded for grains that grew along the coast.
Nowadays, dates are perfect for breakfast or as a snack and are a good accompaniment to cheeses, especially the tastiest ones such as goat cheese, gorgonzola and aged pecorino.
They contain sugars, fibers and very little fat, they are also rich in mineral salts, so they are an ideal energy source for athletes.
fruits are marketed fresh, untreated (usually presented in their own bunch), or they are preserved pressed, or made into syrup, vinegar or confectionery. From the sap of the palm instead he get a refreshing juice, sweet and highly nutritious, called "lagbi", which can also be caramelized.
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