In this coming fasting month, we are encouraged to follow the Prophet’s sunnah which is to break the fast by eating dates and drinking water. There are various types of dates offered in the market such as dates of prophet, dates of Arabian, Tunisian, Egyptian, and then there are the ruthob or fresh/wet dates. Several types of dates are those in which ‘additions’ are added. Such as dates added with almonds, smeared with honey, stuffed with pistachio nuts, sprinkled with sesame seeds, accompanied by dry coconut, and many more combinations. As we all love variations in our foods, what do you think we should pay attention to here?
Unlike fresh dates that are dried (in which to make these it only involves dry air with no additives) the frozen fresh dates (still wet), when kept at room temperature (after being stored frozen) for more than two days, could turn into dates with a relatively high alcohol content (any content is high enough!). This is caused by the spontaneous occurrence of fermentation that may occur because the water mixed with fresh sweet dates trigger the growth of yeast; which in turn ferment creating alcohol.
Dates, as any other sweet food contain sugars that is needed by your body, especially when break the fast. In addition, with the intention of love (mababbah) to the Messenger who also commonly ate dates, so hopefully Allah gives blessings on each piece of date that we eat.
