What’s so Good About Ajwa Dates?

 

You don’t have to search very far to know that Ajwa dates in Malaysia are considered national treasure by locals and foreigners alike. This indigenous Malaysian dish has its roots from Borneo. There are even Ajwa tribes who still make it as their staple diet. The dish is made from cooked black banana, milk, and sugar

What is unique about Ajwa? The first ingredient that should be mentioned about this dish is that it comes from Borneo! They don’t use the palm fruit for making this product but they are the ones that eat the fruit raw. That explains why you can rarely find fresh Ajwa dates in Asian markets. Their production is usually done in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

So what do these dates look like? They look more like raisins than a fruit. If you try to look at them under the sunlight, you might not see a big difference between the dried out fruits and a fresh one. However, if you store them in a refrigerator for a long time, you might notice a change in color and feel that the dried fruits are soft. When this happens, it’s best to keep them in the refrigerator. It’s not because the local refrigerators don’t have enough space; it’s because the fruit’s natural juices start to evaporate when stored like that.

If you love buying fresh fruits and dates, this is where you should head to. The only downside to this is that prices are more expensive than your usual supermarket brands. You can however find discounted products in your local Asian market. But before you head out to look for the products, you may want to check the Internet first. Here, you can browse through different online local grocery stores.

You can also find these dates at Asian grocers and markets. However, the quality and freshness of this fruit is not as guaranteed as those found in local supermarkets and markets. You can also buy them in bulk and avail of even bigger discounts. Grocery shops and Asian markets usually have sales on these dates especially during holidays and special occasions. So, if you’re looking for cheap Ajwa dates, this is your best bet.

There are many recipes using this fruit available. One popular recipe uses crushed dates to cook rice. This can be eaten as a dessert after a meal or combined with other ingredients to make a thick drink. Another way to enjoy the succulent flavor of Ajwa dates is to cut them into thin slices and roast them in a pan with a little oil until they become opaque in color. This type of cooking results in an almost-tasteless piece of fruit.