Dates are the fruit of the palm tree Phoenix dactylifera L., also known as the date palm, a tree found in tropical and subtropical climates, especially in Southwest Asia and North Africa. It is a fruit that has been consumed since ancient times, particularly in the regions of Mesopotamia, where it was a staple food. Today, the production of dates is constantly increasing, with countries such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq being the top producers worldwide.

Dates consist of about 70% natural sugars, mainly fructose and glucose in equal proportion, which makes them a rich source of energy. The remaining 30% is made up of:

• Proteins
• Dietary fiber
• Micronutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus

More specifically, 100g of dates provide approximately 280 kcal.