Dates are undoubtedly a superfruit with their high nutritional and fibre containment, they are also antioxidants that may promote brain power. However, few people are aware that the pits of these fruits are not entirely a waste product, they are as nutritious as the fruit itself.
And it can offer you your first cup of coffee in the morning with only a little heating and grinding.
A caffeine free coffee
Making this date seed coffee powder is relatively easy and only requires a few steps.
First, the seed or pit of the date has to be removed from the fruit.
After gathering twenty or so pits, they have to be washed and cleaned thoroughly (they can also be immersed in water for some time to do this process) to remove any remaining sticky flesh of the fruit. If this step is skipped then the sugar on seeds can end up caramelising and burning when roasted, making them bitter.
After the seeds have dried completely, roast them for about 30-40 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re ready to be transferred to the blender (preferably a coffee or spice grinder) once they’ve been roasted well, and after a good mix, you’ll have coffee powder ready for use.
To brew 4-5 cups of coffee, you will need upto 20 seeds minimum, the powder can also be stored for several months in an airtight container in a cold dark place for future use.
Instead of replacing coffee entirely, this powder can be used as an additive to it.
Taste wise it is closely similar to coffee, only exceptionally less bitter; the taste is a combination between tea and coffee, it’s lighter than regular coffee with a hint of chocolate flavour.
From palm trees to your cup
When CEO/Founder of Madaba Heritage Company for Coffee Production (based in Jordan) Sami Ali’s mother was looking for solutions to strengthen the immune system and increase the nutritional value of her children, she experimented and found out that organic date seed was a key component. As a result, the company was set up and began to manufacture and sell organic coffee made from date seeds all over the world.
Another company that sells ready to brew organic date powder coffee is Amala Earth.
LiwaDates, a UAE based company is one more company that is widely known for their date seed coffee powder.
A whole package in a tiny fruit
Date powder is gluten-free and high in various vitamins and minerals, including phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium, as well as polyphenols. It may protect against diabetic-related liver and kidney problems as well (however more research is required to support this), and as antioxidants, it might also aid to relax nerves and reduce oxidative stress, as well as strengthen the immune system.
Furthermore, it can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Most importantly, it is caffeine-free and a natural energy booster, making it an excellent alternative for those who have a little coffee dependency.
Not just in the coffee industry, date seeds also have potential in the beauty and pharmaceutical industries, where they are utilised as date seed oil for their health benefits. They are also used in brownies, breads, and other baked goods due to their high dietary fibre content.
Read More: Mushroom coffee: Your morning cup of Chaga
