Ramazan pick: Dates are an iftari favourite

ISLAMABAD: With the advent of Ramazan, the sale and consumption of dates has increased as Muslims across the globe prefer to eat dates in Iftari. “Dates are the best selling item compared to any other fruit in Ramazan,” said a dates seller in Islamabad’s Aabpara market. Breaking one’s fast with dates helps avoid overeating after the fast. When the body absorbs the nutritional value of the dates, the feeling of hunger subsides. Most popular dates are Iranian, Iraqi, and Pakistani Aseel, said Rashid Ali, a dates seller in the Sunday Market. There are more than 150 varieties of dates produced in Pakistan. Out of these Begum Jangi from Turbat, Aseel from Khairpur and Dahki from Dera Ismail Khan are the most sought after, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2012.