A traditional way to dry dates
Published: 03:08 PM,Aug 19,2023 | EDITED : 10:08 PM,Aug 19,2023
Every morning during the dates harvest period in ‘Al Qhaid’ season, the Abu Said family spreads the carpet made of palm leaves to dry fresh dates or Al Ratab, in preparation for storing and using them during winter.
This is ‘Al Tasteeh’ , one among the agricultural traditions, which they have observed for centuries. Although ‘Al Qhaid,’ which usually extends from the end of May to the end of August, coincides with holidays for schools and colleges, most families do not move far from the villages in which they live because of these dates that require care throughout the season.
Dates harvesting goes through several stages, starting with ‘Al Hidar’ which is pruning to remove the dry fronds around to reduce chances of pest infection. Then comes the stage of Al Tahdeer that involves tying lower leaves to the stem with a rope. This is done to protect the fruits as they gain weight.
Next comes the process of ‘Al Kheraf’ which is the process of plucking dates by climbing the palm trees at regular intervals. This process lasts for more than four weeks for one type of palm.
‘Al Jedad’ brings together men, women and children for harvest that embodies social solidarity. They sing folk songs that help to ease the hard labour.
After harvesting, the dates are transported to or placed in open places near the farms. Then they are cleaned and washed and then laid out on a large rug to be dried in the sun. This stage is called ‘Al Tasteeh’. Rotten dates are sorted out and given to animals.
The last stage of harvesting is ‘Al kenaz’ which is the process of stacking dates on top of each other after purifying and filtering them in fronds, pottery or plastic containers. In the past, dates used to be packed in palm fronds and stacked with vessels under them in dark rooms, which produced date juice called ‘Al Dibs.’
In some seasons, ‘Al Tasteeh’ is affected by rainfall, in which case farmers are forced to extend the drying period of dates. This traditional method is widespread in the northern governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
This is ‘Al Tasteeh’ , one among the agricultural traditions, which they have observed for centuries. Although ‘Al Qhaid,’ which usually extends from the end of May to the end of August, coincides with holidays for schools and colleges, most families do not move far from the villages in which they live because of these dates that require care throughout the season.
Dates harvesting goes through several stages, starting with ‘Al Hidar’ which is pruning to remove the dry fronds around to reduce chances of pest infection. Then comes the stage of Al Tahdeer that involves tying lower leaves to the stem with a rope. This is done to protect the fruits as they gain weight.
Next comes the process of ‘Al Kheraf’ which is the process of plucking dates by climbing the palm trees at regular intervals. This process lasts for more than four weeks for one type of palm.
‘Al Jedad’ brings together men, women and children for harvest that embodies social solidarity. They sing folk songs that help to ease the hard labour.
After harvesting, the dates are transported to or placed in open places near the farms. Then they are cleaned and washed and then laid out on a large rug to be dried in the sun. This stage is called ‘Al Tasteeh’. Rotten dates are sorted out and given to animals.
The last stage of harvesting is ‘Al kenaz’ which is the process of stacking dates on top of each other after purifying and filtering them in fronds, pottery or plastic containers. In the past, dates used to be packed in palm fronds and stacked with vessels under them in dark rooms, which produced date juice called ‘Al Dibs.’
In some seasons, ‘Al Tasteeh’ is affected by rainfall, in which case farmers are forced to extend the drying period of dates. This traditional method is widespread in the northern governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.