A Date With Dates
Raid Qusti & Ali Al-Zahrani“A 100 riyals! Do I hear 110? It’s now at 110 riyals.†A person in the crowd nods to the auctioneer to go up to 120. “It’s now 120 riyals. Going once.†A third person interrupts the auctioneer and says he is willing to go up to SR130. “Going once. Going twice. Sold to that man over there. Congratulations. May Allah bless you with your new purchase.â€
Interesting piece on the role dates play in Saudi society, as well as a look at how date auctions are conducted. The article mentions two sorts of dates—actually, two states of ripeness—but doesn’t mention several others, each of which is favored by different people. Nor does it mention the many varieties of dates available on the market. Also missing is a look at the retail date stores—which look a lot like a modern bakery showroom—which sell nothing but dates, scores of different kinds.
Still, this Arab News article is worth a look.
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September:26:2006 - 03:47
John, of all the countries you’ve been to, which has the best date market?
September:26:2006 - 18:45
Saudi Arabia, by far; second best, Morocco.
September:26:2006 - 23:56
How does Cairo compare?
September:26:2006 - 23:58
Not much at all. The dates aren’t of very high quality (i.e., exportable) and are mostly all consumed locally.
If I recall my figures from a few years ago, the top date exporters were, in order, Saudi Arabia, USA, Morocco, Tunisia, then, I think, Australia. This is for raw/fresh dates. Processed dates substitutes UAE for Australia.
September:27:2006 - 00:15
Thank you. Someday I hope to make the comparisons myself…
September:27:2006 - 00:24
Find yourself a dattophile to be your guide. There are hundreds–if not thousands–of different dates. Each has a perfect point of ripeness, from truly green to melting-into-mush.