Escapees July-August 2024

ALCHEMY

Dates are a product of those explorations. As Agricultural Explorer Walter Swingle explored Algeria, he uncovered the ideal conditions for date palm cultivation: a climate reminiscent of California’s Coachella Valley. Recognizing the unpredictable outcomes of growing date palms from seed, he opted to transport sizable offshoots, each weighing in at a hefty 60-plus pounds, from the base of mature palms. These offshoots yield trees identical to their parental counterparts, ensuring commercial viability, which was the agency’s goal. Between 1900 and 1930, travelers captivated by the allure of the Middle East began to visit Coachella Valley to savor these novel fruits, a rare fi nd outside the Saharan landscapes. This once-barren

expanse has blossomed into the primary hub of date cultivation in the United States, annually yielding over 60,000 tons of dates enjoyed domestically and globally. What’s Your Fancy? You may be familiar with the Medjool date, which originated from Morocco and was brought to the States in 1927. Its ample size, wrinkled texture and matte brown color are often cherished for their suitability for stuf fi ng or enjoying on their own. Then there’s the most commercially available, the Deglet Noor—a smaller, lighter date with a drier texture, ideal for use in baked goods. While both varieties can be found at well-stocked grocery stores, they represent just a fraction of date cultivars. With an

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine