Today, Saudi Arabia is the second largest producer of dates in the world. The Kingdom offers more than 300 types of dates with each having its own unique taste, color and texture.
For years dates have been looked at as the source of power and energy that the body needs. People used to eat it in any state ripe or not. Today, however, dates are preferred in a variety of designs along with the staple that is sold directly after being plucked and processed. Many companies have now taken upon themselves to go the extra mile to produce a variety that is different. They do it by seeding and stuffing, or chopping and even use it in puddings, on cereals, bread, cakes, cookies, ice cream, milkshakes, candy bars and other dessert items.
Working with what you have is key to taste success according to Anas Khashoggji, co-owner of Ganache. “When you look at normal fruits, you see that people from the West have changed its look and developed it from being just a regular fruit to drying it, compressing it and use it in their desserts,” he said. “We have a huge variety of dates and this gave us the opportunity to formulate different uses for it and that’s how we came up with designer dates.”
Recent innovations include chocolate-covered dates, stuffed dates and dates cakes.
“We are living in one of the biggest date exporting countries in the world. The Kingdom has a wide range of different dates produced every day. It is very smart that Saudi date factories and companies design products using it,” said Youssef Bogari, co-owner of Tamrati Al-Momayaza, date boutique. “It makes sense that individuals and date shop owner look for new ways to present dates in a new face and a new style,” he added. “Many date products have been created in the last 15 years and date shop owners are making huge profit from it. I think it’s because people here are attracted to anything new especially when it comes to dates.”
Dates stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, hazel nuts, caramel, coconut or cream cheese are in demand the whole year, but unmodified dates have their seasons, according to Jameela Islam, co-owner of Ganache, gourmet boutique.
“People approach our stores for stuffed date anytime of the year especially for weddings or any special occasions,” she said. “Ordinary dates are highly requested in special seasons such as Ramadan and Eid because Saudis usually host big feasts where families and friends are invited from different age groups.”
“Saudis like to eat those kind of dates with Arabian java in their gathering, this is the traditional Saudi hospitality,” said Islam. Dates are an important traditional crop in Saudi Arabia and that makes it always in demand by families in their special occasions.
“Many people like to get baskets of dates as a gift to their friends when they go and visit their houses,” said Khashoggji. “Dessert and pastry shop owners try to satisfy the needs of those clients by offering different kinds of dates formed in pastry and cakes.”
This is a competitive market said Bogari, and a lot of date shop owners compete to offer new and improved date items so you will always find us searching, planning and studying new recipes that we can introduce our clients to. “This Ramadan we offer date kunafa, this dessert is new and we look forward to present it at Tamrati Al-Momayaza stores soon. We have been testing it for a while now and it will be our Ramadan special this year,” he added.
Shapes and looks also matter to the clients when it comes to dates and that’s why Tamrati Al-Momayaza started making models all made of dates.
“We now sell in our store date-shaped dolls, especially for children. We wanted to attract them to eat dates as much as possible and we thought this creative way to let them approach it and enjoy it,” said Bogari. “We also offer models for special occasions like weddings and graduations and new born parties to make this occasion amusing and extraordinary.”
Al-Momayaza also gives the chance to its clients to choose their favorite flavor and they would customize it for them.
“We have developed a number of new flavors according to what the costumer wants, we have produced flavors such as espresso, cardamom and others,” said Bogari.
