The Saudi Food and Drug Authority advised that dates should be washed thoroughly before consumption using hot water to reduce pesticide and chemical residues, if any, and to avoid using washed water more than once, according to the Saudi Press Agency "WAS". They pointed out that the best way to preserve dates is freezing, as this method effectively reduces microorganisms and decreases biological activity and oxidation of the dates. It is preferable to freeze at the lowest possible temperature, noting that enzymatic activity does not stop during freezing, which causes ripening to increase.
Cooling is also a method for preserving dates using containers that help reduce moisture exposure, and this method can preserve dates for up to three months. Drying dates is another preservation method aimed at reducing moisture to prevent the growth of microorganisms, with a preservation period of up to one year.
Dates contain sugars and minerals and vitamins such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, starch, protein, and fiber, as well as essential minerals like potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, sodium, zinc, and magnesium, in addition to vitamins A, B, C, and E. Moreover, date skins are rich in flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.
