READING
Name ______________________
Hospitality with dates
A visitor to Saudi Arabia will relish the tradition of
Arabian hospitality, which is symbolised by a small
cup of Arabian coffee, made with lightly roasted
coffee beans and cardamom, and served with a
variety of fresh dates carefully arranged on a plate.
This offering of coffee and dates is common in
almost every Saudi home, as well as most Arabian
homes in the Arabian Gulf region.
After Egypt, Saudi Arabia is the second largest producer of dates in the world, with an annual
output of more than 1.1 million metric tonnes of dates. The Kingdom has considerable
experience in date cultivation and it offers a selection of high-quality, including both soft and dried
dates. In fact, there are more than 300 types of date in Saudi Arabia, each having its own taste
and texture. These different types of date can be seen in shops and markets, but also in oases,
where date palm trees stand tall with their branches outstretched towards the sky and their roots
anchored deep into the earth. Saudi Arabia has the highest number of palm trees in the world,
with more than 23 million trees accounting for 20% production.
But there is much more to dates … Dates have rich
medicinal properties, are highly nutritional, and are
considered by many to be one of nature’s most perfect
foods. Date palms cover 3% of the earth’s cultivated
surface, giving humans one of the best sources of food,
without requiring much effort. Because of this, in Saudi
Arabia, palm trees are planted along the sides of every
major city street, as well as in every garden and yard.
The icon of the beautiful palm tree, representing
vitality and growth, is everywhere, including in the
national emblem of Saudi Arabia, although it does not appear on the Kingdom’s flag.
A number of studies have proved the vital importance of the date fruit in a healthy lifestyle. New
research has found evidence that the Ajwa date from Madinah contains active elements useful in
the prevention of cancer; furthermore, the fruit contains anti-inflammatory properties, not
dissimilar to commercially available painkiller medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Also, a
100 gramme portion of fresh dates is a premium source of vitamin C. However, dates lose their
vitamin C content when they are dried. A single date provides about 20 calories and is a good
source of carbohydrates, fibre and potassium, as well as some calcium and iron. Dates do not
contain significant amounts of fat, cholesterol, protein or sodium and are, therefore, wonderful
for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
While everyone appreciates the health benefits of eating
dates, let’s not forget the date palm itself. The wide
branches and leaves provide shade from the strong sun
and are also seen as thatching on huts, while the strong
trunks are often used as support pillars in buildings as
well as for making furniture.
READING
Name ______________________
1 Scan the article and give five examples where dates/date palms can be seen in Saudi
Arabia.
a
b
c
d
e
2 Match the words in bold in the text to their meaning
Write the correct letter in the grey column
0
large
1
j
a
a spice
relish
b
roofing made of plants/leaves
2
cardamom
c
high levels
3
considerable
d
something you can buy
4
oases
e
fertile areas in the desert with a source of water
5
vitality
f
wide-ranging
6
commercially available
g
being full of life /energised
7
significant
h
the part of a tree which supports the branches
8
thatching
i
enjoy
9
trunk
j
big
3 Write answers to the questions below:
1
What two things are offered to guests in Saudi homes?
___________________________________________________________
2
What does ‘1.1 million metric tonnes refer’ to?
___________________________________________________________
Apart from the nutritional value, what is another benefit of eating dates?
3
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
READING
4
Name ______________________
Which major illness might the Ajwa date help to avoid?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5
Why could eating dates help relieve a headache?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6
Describe what happens to the vitamin C content of dried dates.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7
What is the date palm used for, other than as a source of food?
Give four examples:
a
b
c
d