Why Ajwa Dates Are So Important To The Saudi Arabian City Madina

The date is truly a sweet fruit, perfect for snacks, syrups, and flavoring or sugar substitutes in a world of desserts. The soft, brown, stone fruit is nature's response to the sweet tooth, and if anyone ever tells you that age-old myth that only unhealthy foods taste good, kindly correct them and tell them about the Ajwa date.

According to the Bateel, the Ajwa dates no ordinary fruit, and it is grown in only a few parts of the world and is so dark-hued that instead of date-brown, it looks nearer to black. Flavorful and sweet, the Ajwa date is most commonly eaten dried and is known, despite its sugary flavor, to be quite good for the body, benefiting bones, teeth, diabetes, the immune system, and pregnancy! It is a fantastic source of fiber and is often eaten alongside Arabic coffee as a treat. NationMaster reports that in 2019, the largest producers of Ajwa dates were Egypt (1,603,762 metric tons), Saudi Arabia (1,539,756 metric tons), and Iran (1,307,908 metric tons). However, the city of Madina in Saudi Arabia has an extraordinary relationship with this fruit.

Dark, sugary, and an integral part of Saudi Arabian life and economy, Sabika Hassan tells us that the Ajwa date is an incredibly ancient agricultural product, the origins of the fruit dating back over 50 million years somewhere in the vicinity of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Persian Gulf, and India. Palm trees standing a hundred feet tall produce around 150 pounds of Ajwa dates individually. Still, it takes years, sometimes decades, after planting for the tree to produce market-worthy and money-making yields. 

Though the dates are essential to the country's economic success, the Ajwa dates are more than just a commercial product. Prestigious says that the Ajwa dates are important in the Islamic religion. Served during the holy month of Ramadan, it is believed that the Prophet Muhammad himself loved the Ajwa date and took to planting the trees and recommending them for breakfast every morning for protection against diseases. The Ajwa date is most precious to the people in Madina, Saudi Arabia. According to Arab News, Madina is an important Islamic pilgrimage site, and an Ajwa date farm is next to the Quba mosque! Shops and vendors sell them continuously, especially during the holidays of Ramadan and Haj.