Have you ever eaten this kind of date?
In the 60s, this kind of jujube can be described as a "star-like" existence, almost on the streets and alleys, and many children will eat it as a snack.
It can be said that this used to be a smash hit.
But it's strange why so little has been heard about it since then.
Iraqi dates
In my childhood memories, there was one particular sweet tooth that left a deep impression on me, and that was the delicacy known as "Iraqi dates".
At that time, I was full of curiosity about this kind of date because of its sweet taste and the shape that resembles our common dates.
However, as the years went by, I gradually learned some interesting stories and historical origins behind this date.
This snack, known as "Iraqi dates", has a long historical background in China, and its emergence and development, as well as people's love for it, have a unique story.
The first appearance of this snack in China can be traced back to the fifties and sixties of the last century, when China's economy was relatively backward and candy food was relatively scarce.
Therefore, "Iraqi dates", which are introduced in large quantities from Iraq and other places, quickly became popular in China due to their sweetness and price advantages.
Both adults and children have a soft spot for this delicious snack, and some even mistakenly think that it is the dates eaten by the natives of Iraq.
The appearance characteristics of Iraqi dates are also very distinct.
When ripe, their color will gradually change from bluish-black to yellow and finally reddish-brown.
Iraqi dates, ripened on the tree or dried after harvesting, have soft and glutinous flesh and a sweet and fragrant taste, like honey.
However, the "Iraqi date" is not a true date, its scientific name is sea date, which belongs to the fruit of the tree plant of the genus Thornflower in the palm family.
This is quite different from Chinese jujubes, which belong to the fruit of the genus Rhamnosa.
Although "Iraqi dates" look and taste similar to Chinese dates when dried, they are much sweeter, mainly due to the high amount of natural sugars they contain.
Why are "Iraqi dates" so sweet?
This is because it has a very high sugar content, which can reach more than 50%, which is also a characteristic of its own.
It is precisely because of its high sugar content that Iraqi dates have high preservative properties and can be stored for a long time, so they are known as "desert bread" and "desert green gold" in the Middle East.
This property makes "Iraqi dates" a very important food in the Middle East, and the locals believe that eating 10 can withstand three days of hunger.
Iraqi dates were introduced to the mainland
The history of Iraqi dates dates back to the beginning of the last century, when it entered the Chinese market as an "imported commodity".
In the fifties and sixties of the last century, China established close diplomatic relations with Iraq and other countries, and carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation in the economic, cultural, and other fields.
In such a context, Iraqi dates have continuously entered the Chinese market through sea and rail transportation, bringing unprecedented surprises to people.
With the passage of time, the position of Iraqi dates in the Chinese market has gradually stabilized.
It is not only loved by people because of its unique flavor, but also because of its rich nutritional value.
However, many people have a misconception about Iraqi dates, believing that they are a type of date.
In fact, Iraqi dates (dates) are not related to Chinese dates, but are the fruit of the palm family, so named for its dried appearance that resembles Chinese dates.
Date palm is a very old plant, it has survived on the earth for more than 50 million years, and it belongs to the same era as the dinosaurs.
This, combined with the fact that dates are extremely resistant to drought, barrenness, high temperatures and salinity, also allows it to grow in desert areas.
It can be said that in that era, the emergence of Iraqi dates was undoubtedly a clear stream, which greatly enriched the dietary life of the Chinese people.
Not only does it add a sweet taste to a staple on the table, but it also allows kids to find new snack options.
Many children use Iraqi dates as candy and taste the rare sweetness with relish.
For many families, dates are not only a food, but also a kind of parental love and reward for their children.
The scene of a family sitting around the dining table and sharing a bag of dates has become a cherished memory in the hearts of many people.
The texture and taste characteristics of dates make them stand out among many fruits, its flesh is sweet and soft, the aroma is rich, and the taste of dates is more unique compared to other fruits.
At that time, people's love for dates can be seen, whether it is holding dates on the way to school, or secretly tasting them on the desk, or sharing small desserts with friends, dates appear in our lives in various forms and have become a unique flavor mark.
It can be said that the symbolism of Iraqi dates is that it represents the memory of a generation.
Dates have transcended the confines of a food and become part of the collective memory of a generation.
However, with the passage of time, the market position of dates has changed dramatically.
This is not only the influence of rumors, but also the change of consumption Xi.
Forced to quit
One myth about dates is that it can cause liver disease.
The claim originated from the hepatitis A outbreak in Shanghai in the '80s, when it was reported that eating undercooked oysters led to a spike in hepatitis cases.
Although this fact was later clarified by the authorities, the spread of rumors still had a negative impact on the sale of dates.
To some extent, this misconception reflects people's concerns and fears about food safety, and it also reminds us to think independently in the face of unconfirmed news.
On the other hand, the high sugar content of dates has also become another reason for people's changing perceptions of them.
You must know that the sugar content of dates is as high as 70%, which is undoubtedly a big obstacle for modern people who pursue a healthy diet.
Excessive sugar intake is considered bad for health, especially in today's day when chronic diseases such as diabetes are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Therefore, the sweetness of dates has become an important factor in the decline of its market position.
With the rapid development of China's economy, the domestic candy production capacity has been greatly improved.
This has led to a gradual decrease in consumer demand for dates, as it is no longer the only sweet option.
Competition in the market has intensified, and the status of dates has also been impacted.
You must know that in Middle Eastern countries, such as Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other places, Persian dates are widely cultivated and have become one of the main food sources for local residents.
Due to its high sugar content and rich nutrient content, Persian dates are known locally as "bread on the tree" and provide important energy support for people's lives.
However, who would have thought that in the Chinese market, their fortunes have changed dramatically.
Iraqi dates, the name of which is no longer seen in the Chinese market.
However, we can't help but miss the endless sweetness that Iraqi dates brought us in those years.
After changing its name, it reappeared in the rivers and lakes
In fact, Iraqi dates have not disappeared completely, but have appeared in people's eyes with a new identity.
With the development of China's industry, the self-sufficiency of confectionery products has weakened the market competitiveness of Iraqi dates, and the development of agriculture has also promoted the cultivation of indigenous dates, further weakening the market share of Iraqi dates.
Despite the sharp decline in sales of Iraqi dates in China, it has not completely disappeared.
At present, a small amount of Iraqi dates is still imported into China, but the quantity has been greatly reduced.
In response to these challenges, Persian dates underwent a "transformation" in the Chinese market and were renamed "dates".
The change aims to dispel negative perceptions of Persian dates while emphasizing its distinctive taste and nutrition.
Gradually, the concept of dates and its characteristics are gradually accepted by consumers.
Despite this, the name change has not fully recovered the position of the date palms in the Chinese market.
It has to be said that the experience of dates in China can be described as twists and turns, although it was once loved by the public, but after experiencing the hepatitis rumors and the impact of industrialization, its status has been affected.
From what was once a popular food to what is now marginalized, this change reflects the changing tastes and needs of consumers.
This also reminds us that when facing food problems, we should maintain a rational and objective attitude and avoid believing rumors, so as not to affect the correct consumption decision.
So, as we reflect on that childhood that seems to never go back, we begin to reflect on what the Iraqi date represents to us, and it has a deeper meaning than just a food.
It is a symbol of that era, a carrier of our collective memories.
Every time we mention this name, we recall the good times of our childhood, the happy moments we spent with our family and friends.
Therefore, the Iraqi date is a special cultural symbol for us, and it is deeply imprinted in our memory.
It reminds us to cherish childhood memories and the testimony of that period of growth.
These memories are not just things from the past, they are also valuable treasures in our life's journey.
With the improvement of living standards, people's choices for New Year's goods are becoming more and more diverse.
Imported nuts are favored by consumers because of their taste and quality, and they are still popular despite their high price.
However, dates, which were once a popular New Year's product, have gradually lost their market due to their high sweetness.
Many people have expressed concerns about the high sugar content of dates, fearing that eating too much of them can lead to weight gain, among other things.
Despite this, the nutritional value of dates should not be overlooked, it is rich in natural sugars and various vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the human body, and it is beneficial for health when consumed in moderation.