The Mighty Date Palm. The Gift of the Gods.

 Phoenicia, from the Greek word phoinix, “a palm”, the land of palm-trees, was an ancient civilization centered in the north of ancient Canaan. With its heartland along the coastal regions of modern day Lebanon, coastal Syria, 

Phoenicia translates to the “Land of Palms” where palm growth and harvesting dates back to approximately 5,000 years ago in the ancient Near East, growing along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. 

It’s Fruit it bears is mentioned through the ages, from it’s depiction in Ancient Egyptian Heiroglyphs to Biblical texts. Revered as a Super Food long before the word became fashionable in our modern times. 

The Date Palm Tree is also mentioned in Greek and Roman mythology as part of their ceremony and lore. Greek mythology links the date palm to the immortal Phoenix. The Phoenix would build its nest at the top of the date palm where the fire of rebirth would eventually rise and burn. From this fire the Phoenix is reborn. In ancient Rome, Palm Fronds were used as a symbol of victory in ceremonial triumph processions. 

If that’s not enough to make you proud to consume dates, then it’s nutritional value should.

Dates are a super complex carbohydrate, and a plethora of vitamins and minerals. 

In addition to tasting great. 

They are also:

1. High in polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds that can protect the body from inflammation Dates contain more polyphenols than most other fruits and vegetables.
2. Alternative to empty-calorie sweets. Dates can satisfy a person’s sweet tooth while also providing essential nutrients, such as vitamin B-6 and iron.
3. High in fiber. Just ¼ of a cup of dates provides 12 percnt of a person’s daily fiber requirement. Fiber helps a person feel fuller for longer.
4. High in potassium. Dates are high in potassium which is an electrolyte the body needs for good heart health. Potassium also helps to build muscle and proteins in the body.