The king of fruits: one tree bears several thousand fruits, enough for a whole family to eat for an entire year
The plants and animals that survive in hot regions are no ordinary beings, and the "date palm," which likes to grow in tropical and subtropical regions, is a symbol of the extraordinary. Looking at its appearance, it resembles an ordinary palm tree somewhat, and a sago cycad somewhat, but they are not of the same kind. Its most distinctive feature is none other than those clusters of red fruits hanging downward, and a single tree can produce over a thousand of them. This is probably the most effortless fruit tree I have ever seen; the fruits stack themselves up in rows, and you only need to cut down the whole stalk and you can carry them away with ease, unlike other fruits, where just the picking process alone is time-consuming and laborious.
Date palms are grown in the tropical regions of our country, such as Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi and other places. A bit farther away, they are also produced in regions like the Middle East and North Africa. Its form is arborescent, about thirty-five meters tall with a sparse crown; the leaves can grow to six meters, and the fruits grow at the base of the crown. The tree's age can reach a hundred years, and the fruits a single tree grows in a year are enough for a whole family to eat for an entire year. It can also grow for a hundred years, and can support at least two generations, so planting a date palm is truly a great deal.
Many people think date palms do not flower, just like the fig varieties, but that is actually not the case; it is simply that people fail to recognize the flowers.
In the desert, the date palm is also called the "bread of the desert," and it is the best food for people dieting to lose weight; it does not add fat yet can provide the needed nutrition. Pregnant women eating more dates can have a labor-inducing effect, and it can also help protect liver function.
The sap of the date palm can also promote metabolism, so it is excellent for people giving up alcohol as well. Dates can also be used as traditional Chinese medicine, with effects of resolving phlegm and relieving cough, moistening the lungs and calming panting, and the effect of nourishing the stomach is also excellent; eating more will not harm a sensitive stomach. Other parts of the date palm are also made by people into mats, brooms and other daily necessities, so it can truly be said that every part of it is a treasure. It is also for this reason that people call the date palm the "king of fruits."
Now in rural areas of the south, many farmer friends plant one in front of their homes, and by August and September you can see the bright red fruits. Date palm flesh is rich, fresh and sweet, and can also serve as a pairing ingredient for many jams. There is sugar made specifically from dates, and it can also be used as an auxiliary ingredient for brewing wine. Because it inherently has a high sugar content, elderly people with diabetes should eat less of it.
If you want to taste dates in season, you still have to wait a few months. Although it does not count as a scarce fruit, the price of dates is not low now either. If conditions allow, planting one in front of your own home means that before long you will see a scene of abundant fruit, and just looking at it lifts your mood.
Dear friends, have you ever eaten dates? You are welcome to leave a comment and share!