[level h3=” Dried dates ” gen=”2″ gb=” us=” il=”]
Halve, remove the pit, and check both halves carefully on both sides with through-lighting (Illustrations 220a, 220b). White crystals are not a sign of infestation (Illustration 221). A dark shadow may be an insect and should be examined carefully. Dark deposits in the pit area indicate the presence of a worm (Illustration 222).
It’s best to buy high-quality dates, such as those grown in California or Israel, as opposed to poor-quality ones, for example Pakistani or Algerian dates (Illustration 13, 14).
Some dates cannot be checked with through-lighting because they are too thick and dark. They should be checked on both sides under the light.
Fresh dates
(smooth, dark brown dates, sold frozen)
Presumed clean (Illustration 223).
[level h3=” Pressed dates (a slab of pitted dates) ” gen=”3″ gb=” us=” il=”]
Should not be used, since low-quality dates are used and it is impossible to check the dates after they were pressed (Illustration 224, 225).
Date spread
Presumed clean.
