Dates: A Global History

Food heritage researcher and historian Nawal Nasrallah presents in "Dates: A Global History" (published under the food history series by the Kalima Translation Project at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre) a captivating anthropological and historical study probing the immortal fruit intertwined with the cradle of human civilizations. The book narrates the ancient story of dates and the date palm, starting from their cultivation in the marshes of Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Nile Valley, through their pivotal role in sustaining life in arid environments, to their symbolic, religious, and culinary presence in ancient medical texts and global cuisines. Through a dramatic and accessible style linking archaeological history with the aesthetics of literary and culinary heritage, the author illustrates how dates transcended being a mere energy source to become an icon of hospitality and a cross-cultural culture.

Because it unveils the deep civilizational heritage of dates and the noble date palm, simplifying the impact of this authentic taste on peoples' identities and economies.

For Eastern history and culinary heritage enthusiasts, cultural anthropology researchers, and anyone passionate about learning the glorious history of the blessed date palm.