Each variety of dates in the UAE carries a story passed down through generations. Names such as Al-Khalas, Al-Khunaizi, Al-Faradh, Al-Lulu, Al-Dabbas, Al-Naghal, and Al-Barhi have become part of the nation’s agricultural memory and food heritage. Some have gained fame for their sweetness, others for their ability to withstand climatic conditions, while some have become associated with specific regions or seasons, gradually transforming into symbols of Emirati heritage.
With the start of the “early ripe dates” season, marking the first ripening of palm fruits, Emirati families begin gathering around Arabic coffee to taste the new harvest, while others head to farms to take part in the picking. The season creates a scene that brings together social traditions and agricultural heritage. Early varieties such as Al-Naghal and Al-Daلاbas lead the season, before other varieties follow, filling local markets with their distinctive colors and flavors.
Early ripe dates are essential to the Emirati pantry (Annahar)
As agriculture evolves and new varieties emerge, the need to document them and protect the rights of the farmers who developed them has grown. In response, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority launched the “New Date Varieties Documentation” project under the banner, “Scientific Documentation.. Rights Preservation.. Support for Sustainability.”
The project aims to establish the first national database specializing in new varieties, based on scientific standards that ensure the protection of intellectual property rights, promote agricultural innovation, and enhance food security.
This special Annahar dossier explores “Mouneh” across Lebanon and the Arab world, where preserving food means preserving memory, identity, and heritage. From Lebanese Mouneh and Zhourat to Tunisian couscous, regional thyme traditions, Palestinian provisions, and UAE dates, the dossier traces how these traditions endure, evolve, and face the pressures of modern life, war, and changing economies. Read more about the dossier:
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