Dates, or بلح (beleH) are the source of life for most people in Northern Africa and the Middle East, in fact in Islam the date palm is known as the tree of life. Their cultivation stretches as far back as 6,000 BC.
Pictured here are the wide range of dates for sale in the markets of Fes, Morocco. Morocco provides one of the best environments in which to cultivate dates and produces over 100 varieties.
Medjool dates in particular were so important to Morocco that in the 1920's, when a disease attacked the date palms, 11 of these trees were sent to the US in order to save them. This is also when the US began their own cultivation.
Dates are served with nearly every meal and are popular in savory dishes as well as for tasty desserts.
Pictured here are the wide range of dates for sale in the markets of Fes, Morocco. Morocco provides one of the best environments in which to cultivate dates and produces over 100 varieties.
Medjool dates in particular were so important to Morocco that in the 1920's, when a disease attacked the date palms, 11 of these trees were sent to the US in order to save them. This is also when the US began their own cultivation.
Dates are served with nearly every meal and are popular in savory dishes as well as for tasty desserts.