Unfair to compare Middle Eastern dates with Indonesian local dates

YAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Dates become a popular fruit, especially during Ramadan. Muslims around the world are looking for dates to break their fast and dawn.

The date palm is a fruit native to the Middle East region. Date palms grow well in dry climates.

But dates can also continue to grow in regions other than the Middle East.

Dates can grow in areas that have a dry, even tropical climate, such as Thailand and Indonesia.

Also read: 5 types of dates in Indonesia, why is the sweet taste different?

There are some differences between the dates grown in the Middle East and the local dates in Indonesia. A remarkable difference in terms of quality and flavor.

Dates expert from Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Prof. Dr. Ir. Sudarsono, MSc., Explained that dates in the Middle East can be harvested to date tamr or the dates are perfectly prepared.

While dates in Indonesia can only be harvested in stages Khalal or Piety only. Aliases do not reach the perfect maturity level.

“Certainly not fair comparing the shape and taste of dates in the Middle East with the taste and shape of date palms in Indonesia, “said Sudarsono Kompas.com, Tuesday (5/5/2020).

Also read: 5 levels of maturity of dates, recognizing the difference between Hababouk, Kimri, Khalal, Ruthob and Tamr dates

Therefore, according to Sudarsono, it would be fairer to compare dates. Khalal and Piety Middle Eastern with dates Khalal and Piety from Indonesia.

Difference between the Middle East and Indonesia dates

JUDGES KOMPAS.com/M.AGUS FAUZUL Mustain Anshori shows the fruitful palm.

According to Sudarsono, at the stage of development of dates Khalal and Piety those harvested from Indonesia will taste similar to dates at the same stage in the Middle East.

At this stage, dates in Indonesia and the Middle East are high in water content.

Although the sugar content is not as high as the dates that are already in the stages tamr.

Also read: Make no mistake, here we explain how to distinguish sweet dates and natural sweets

Then Sudarsona describes the taste of dates Khalal and Piety feel inclined juicy, a little crispy and not too sweet.

Not only that, there is a sufficiently high content of vitamin C on the dates Khalal and Piety. This is no longer in the fruit development stage. tamr.

“In addition to that, in stages Khalal and Piety The fruit of the date palm still has fiber that has not been modified so that the texture of the fruit still feels crisp.

In stages Khalal and Piety“The Indonesian date palm still has a taste that is almost the same as that of the Middle East dates,” Sudarsono said.

Also read: Klapertaart date recipe, unique dates easy to make

Dates growing in Indonesia cannot reach the stage of development of the date palm.

This is because the climate and the environment in Indonesia do not allow that to happen.

When the dates reach the perfect or mature stage tamr, you will definitely experience changes in the sugar and fiber content.

Dates also experience softening due to the modification of the fiber present in the fruit.

Fruit shape and size of dates.

JUDGES KOMPAS.com/M.AGUS FAUZUL Kurma belongs to the caretaker of the Pari Ulu boarding school in Gurah, Kediri Regency, East Java.

When it comes to the shape and size of dates, according to Sudarsono, the shape and size of dates in Indonesia are usually relatively smaller.

Date palms that have been shown to bear fruit in Indonesia are often similar to the tropical dates of Thailand.

The shape of the dates in Indonesia is also mainly similar to the date palm variety known as KL-1 (Kholak-1) from Thailand.

The shape of the KL-1 date is relatively small, slightly rounded, and bright yellow.

Also read: History of dates in the Middle East, from roles to dates to eat dates during Ramadan

The size of the Indonesian dates compared to the Middle East dates is also relatively smaller.

“This is related to the climatic conditions in Indonesia that do not really support the development of dates,” Sudarsono said.

“In general, the size of Indonesian dates can be no more than 1-3 centimeters long and between 1-2 centimeters wide,” he continued.

Also read: Recipe dates Rhutab drink, spicy drinks suitable for Iftar

While in terms of fruit yield per bunch, Indonesian dates may coincide with the number of dates produced by trees in the Middle East.

Especially if the parent tree is well maintained and artificial pollination is carried out, that is combined with human help.