United States: Date trees produce fruit for hundreds of years

They are called Deglet Nour, i.e. "dates of light", and are the most cultivated variety in North Africa. They take their name after the fact that they are semi-transparent.

They are natural and fresh untreated dates, which are sweet without the need for added sugar. The perfect balance of sugar, vitamins and minerals means they are the perfect snack or a source of quick energy.

Alya Foods is a company located in the US but with origins in Algeria, and it specialises in the import of Deglet Nour dates. Founder and owner Mokhtar Keniouna explained that "we select only the best products for our American consumers."

In Berlin, the company organised a tasting of the different types of Deglet Nour dates. "The colour and aroma vary depending on the area, so it is very important to select the origin of the produce."

The fruit is harvested between October and January, but the fruit can be stored for up to 18 months, so they are available the whole year round.

Although they derive from California dates, the microclimate of the Algerian cultivation areas made these fruits truly unique. Biskra is famous for the high quality of its dates and its climate is characterised by warm air currents and humid soils.

The main markets for Alya Foods are the US, Germany and France. "We have two warehouses in Algeria and handle 4,000 tons per year. Organic dates are also available."

Date trees are big and start producing after ten years. "In Algeria there are huge orchards and fruit is protected with plastic bags. A palm tree can remain productive for centuries!"

In addition to being served fresh, dates are also perfect as a snack and can be used as an ingredient in salads, cereal, desserts and biscuits.

For further information:
Alya Foods
Mokhtar Keniouna
Tel.: +1 212 380 8819
Cell.: +1 917 495 0815
Email: info@alyafoods.com
Web: www.alyafoods.com