ISLAMABAD, May 29 (APP): With the advent of holy month of Ramzan, the
demand of dates has increased manifold as it considered to be the most important item of `Iftar’ according to religious perspective.
The tradition of breaking fast with `Khajoor’ (dates) is connected to
the religious practices in Ramzan as Muslims across the globe prefer to eat dates in `Iftari’ prior to any thing else.
Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits with a
list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, required for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
“The dates are the most selling item compared to any other fruit in
Ramzan and mostly the fruit-sellers offer dates exclusively on their stalls and carts,” a dates-seller in G-9 markaz told APP.
Besides breaking fast with dates, people prepared many dishes and use
dates during Ramazan feasts, he said.
Saad Ahmed said breaking fast with eating dates help to avoid
overeating of the food after the fast.
When the body absorbed the nutritional value of the dates, the feeling of hunger got pacified, he added.
With increasing demand of various varieties of dates, the prices also increase according to the quality and supply of the item.
Mostly, the kinds of dates are being sold in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Irani dry dates, Arabian dates, Pakistani Aseel, Karblain, Irani Rabai, Mazafati, Shareefa and others, another dates-seller in Sunday bazaar Inaam Ullah said.
Mostly people buy Iraqi Basra and Pakistani Aseel due to the taste and
affordable price. There are more than 150 varieties of dates produced in
Pakistan.
Out of these large number of varieties, dates of Balochistan, Aseel of
Sindh and Dhakki of Dera Ismail Khan were the varieties which are much popular among people due to their exotic taste, he added.
According to Health experts, dates were rich in natural fibres, several vitamins, minerals, natural products contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium which are advantageous for health.