How to store unripe dates (Khark)?
Khark or Khark is basically the unripe date. Khark Some types of dates can be eaten and southerners are fond of it. Due to the presence of tannin, it has a sour and slightly sweet taste. The khark is cooked and dried and can be used for up to two years.
Keeping fresh dates (wet)
Soft dates spoil sooner due to juice and moisture, their taste and color become sour and change. For this reason, put soft and moist dates in a covered container in the refrigerator at a temperature of 3 to 8 degrees Celsius. It is better within a week be eaten, so as not to change their properties. But there is no problem in the refrigerator for a month. If you have sugar, heat it and consume it.
Storage of dry dates
Dry and semi-dry dates have a long shelf life and can be stored for up to one year at kitchen temperature, away from sunlight and heat. To prevent humidity, put it in a glass container with a lid or a zipped plastic container that has been emptied of air.
How to store dates in the freezer?
All types of dates, both fresh and semi-dry, can be stored in the freezer for up to one year to keep them fresh. To freeze, put the dates in a freezer bag, empty it of air and leave some free space for the dates to freeze. Then put it in the coldest part of the freezer. When using, take out the dates 3 hours before so that the ice melts slowly or put them in a container of warm water. In general, due to the abundance of dates at all times and everywhere, it is better to eat dates fresh.
Is it necessary to wash or peel the dates before consumption?
In terms of hygiene, it is necessary to wash dates like any other fruit before consumption. There are all kinds of microorganisms and pollution in the groves. Due to the dust phenomenon that has caused many problems in the western and southwestern regions of the country in recent years, it has become more necessary to wash dates before consumption, so it is recommended to wash dates completely before consumption, but there is no need to separate them. It is not to peel it.
Why do some dates turn sour?
Dates are rich in carbohydrates (sugary substances) and if the conditions for the growth of microorganisms are provided, soft dates, which have more moisture than their dry counterparts, will ferment quickly and have a sour taste and smell. Relatively warm and humid air and the presence of oxygen are necessary for the growth of microorganisms and the fermentation process, and if dates are kept at a low temperature such as in the refrigerator and in closed containers, their storage capacity will be higher.
Is sugaring dates a sign of corruption?
Sugaring, which is the formation of sugar crystals or crystals, mostly occurs in fresh varieties such as Mozafati and Kabkab dates and in fully ripe dates, which are caused by keeping dates in inappropriate conditions, and if the dates are kept in the refrigerator, the probability of this phenomenon will be less. . In any case, sugaring is not considered corruption. By making changes in the texture and appearance of dates, sugar lowers its quality from the consumer's point of view.
What are the signs of date corruption?
Date spoilage is caused by the presence of bacteria, mold, yeast and storage pests. The sour smell is an indicator of date fermentation. Sometimes, in the types of dates that are sold in bulk, the storage conditions are so inappropriate that moldy spots can be easily seen. Worms and the presence of pests in dates are also signs of corruption, which should be solved in stages and the dates should be harvested.