How to Prepare Dates Dropped From a Palm Tree
Various palm trees are found in desert and tropical climates throughout the world. Only the date palm is capable of producing the date fruit that is eaten by many people. For hundreds of years, people have consumed dates in a variety of ways, including in medicinal remedies and cures. Dates are commonly harvested from the tree, however, and fruit that falls to the ground will typically be very ripe.
Inspect date fruit collected from the ground. Look for signs of damage, rot or insect holes, and dispose of unwanted fruit. Rinse the inspected fruit under running water to remove dirt and debris.
Mix 1 qt pineapple juice, 1 qt warm water and 1/4 cup lemon juice in a container. Dip the cleaned date fruit in the mixture to help preserve the color.
Remove the dates from the mixture and slice in half with a knife. Place the date fruit on a screen to be used for drying. Use an inexpensive window screen as a drying screen. Arrange the dates to allow good air flow in and around the fruit for drying.
Place the screen outdoors in full sunlight for drying. Position the screen with the dates in an elevated position. Use two saw horses, for example, to support the drying screen.
Bring the dates inside during rainy weather and at night. Allow the dates to dry for up to 10 days depending on the temperature and relative humidity.
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Writer Bio
Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.
