Algerian dates are known worldwide. Their distinctive texture has won over Europe and other Arab countries. Much like coffee enthusiasts, Algerians particularly enjoy tasting different date varieties. Deglet Nour is Algeria’s benchmark date variety.
The date palm was introduced almost two thousand years ago in the Biskra region. Considered the gateway to the desert, this area is now a leading date-growing region in Algeria. Under the Roman Empire, mercenaries from Palmyra, an ancient city in Mesopotamia, introduced palm cultivation to Algeria. Over the centuries, the palm groves produced a delicious variety typical of the region. Having adapted exceptionally well, Deglet Nour thrives here and across the Tunisian border.
Algerian dates: a closer look at Deglet Nour
Deglet Nour’s main characteristic is its translucent flesh, which reveals the stone when held up to the light. This feature has inspired various interpretations of its name. When discussing this Algerian national product, two explanations emerge:
- Some call this Algerian date the “golden finger” because of its appearance. Indeed, it resembles small, light-brown fingers with a natural sheen.
- Others draw on Arabic linguistics and take the explanation further. They argue that “Deglet Nour” comes from “dgoul” and “enouara tamr”, literally “from the stone” and “appearance of the date stone”.
Ultimately, the two explanations complement each other. The Algerian date is therefore recognised as the fruit with a visible stone.
A date with an established export reputation
Algerian Deglet Nour is the most successful variety in France. The short distance between the two Mediterranean shores helps explain this, as do its quality and sweet, caramel-like flavour. For large families, the one-kilo box is a staple. Sold on the branch in Algeria, this date has a remarkable natural sheen. It is very different from budget supermarket dates, particularly lower-end Tunisian products previously dipped in glucose, which taste excessively sweet and cause blood sugar to rise quickly.
Deglet Nour has soft, melting flesh, just like the Medjool date. For those with a sweet tooth, it is very easy to fill with almond paste, making it a delicious ingredient for festive pastries.
Deglet Nour: an ideal dried fruit for making date paste
Date paste is a traditional Algerian product, with a dedicated place in shops serving the community. Made from Deglet Nour, this delicious paste is one of the most popular ingredients for making makrout pastries.
This richly flavoured date paste pairs beautifully with orange blossom water, delighting the taste buds and leaving a full flavour on the palate.
Behind many cakes and pastries made with date paste, you will find Algerian Deglet Nour dates.
What are Deglet Nour’s texture and flavour like?
This question deserves particular attention. Algerian dates are harvested in palm groves that are carefully monitored to prevent fungal growth. Before ripening, Deglet Nour loses water as liquid sugar forms. You can therefore find two quite different textures with a similar taste.
In the first case, this fruit from the Algerian Sahara is soft and its flesh irresistibly sweet. Its texture resembles a ripe apricot that melts in the mouth.
Alternatively, it fills with a delicious sweet juice reminiscent of a sweet. Inside, there are small white fibres.
This distinctive date has a honey-like taste. It generally fills you up quickly, making it hard to eat more than three in a minute. As a source of energy, it is recommended for starting the day or before physical activity.
How should you store it?
Deglet Nour dates keep well in the fridge. You can also freeze them to store them for longer. For freezing, we recommend removing the dates from their cardboard box and using a freezer bag. Separate each fruit from its branch before placing the dates in the bag.
Served chilled in a bowl, they are particularly enjoyable. In very hot weather, it is best not to leave them at room temperature, as they can spoil and ferment quickly.
Improper storage can also allow larvae to multiply inside the date. This is generally attributed to a break in the cold chain.
Deglet Nour: a date available all year round
Algerian dates are available in shops throughout the year. Abundant production and demand in France make them a favourite fruit to enjoy.
The health crisis revealed the limits of international trade. Yet Algerian dates remained popular. Geographical proximity to France and the importance of the diaspora helped sustain this success. Today, Algerian dates are highly sought after.
They are also enjoyed in Europe, and even a street in a Californian city bears their name. Besides Algeria and Tunisia, Deglet Nour is grown in the American desert. Agronomists in Phoenix studied the soils to reproduce conditions similar to those in the Sahara.