Mazafati


Mazafati is a cultivar of the palm date. It is a dark, soft, fleshy and sweet date of medium size, about with a relatively high moisture content of between 32 and 35%, varying with the time of harvest and the location of the grow.

Areas of cultivation

Mazafati dates are grown in southern Iran, mainly in Bam, Jiroft and Kahnuj in Kerman province; in Saravan, Nikshahr, Haji Abad, and Iranshahr in Sistan-o-Baluchestan province; as well as in Pakistan, in Panjgur, Parom and Buleda in the province of Balochistan.
As one of the largest growing regions of Mazafati dates, the Bam region has around under cultivation, of which about are for young palm trees. It is estimated that Mazafati dates account for 20% of Iran's total date exports. Approximately 120,000 tons are harvested from the land annually. Mazafati date palms can stay in production for over 60 years.

Consumption

The date is suited for fresh consumption, i.e., not dried. At a temperature of it can be kept for up to two years or at it can be kept for one year. Mazafati date harvesting time depends on the variety and starts in August, lasting to the end of October.
This variety is the most common variety of fresh dates for snacking and table eating. The dates are a valuable source of various vitamins and minerals and are high in fiber. Though Mazafati dates are popular in many countries, exports have been badly affected by international sanctions.

Content and nutrition

Mazafati date seeds are made up of 7.7–9.7% oil and make up 5.6–14.2% of the date's weight. They contain 7.17–9% moisture, 1.83–5.3% protein, 6.8–9.32% fat, 65.5% carbohydrates, 6.4–13.6% fiber, and 0.89–1.57% ash, as well as sterols, estrone, and an alkali-soluble polysaccharide. The fatty acids in the oil are 8% lauric, 4% myristic, 25% palmitic, 10% stearic, 45% oleic, and 10% linoleic acid, as well as small amounts of caprylic and capric acid.
The dates contain micronutrients including calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B complex and vitamin C. They are also low in fat and high in fiber and protein content. Like all dates, they are high in simple carbohydrates.