Many would have come across this fruit usually hawked by northerners around the country but only a few would have paid attention to details about this plant.
Dabino as they are popularly called by the Hausas are known as Dates and their mother tree is the Date palm tree.Its botanical name is Phonex dacylifera.
Historically,the date palm tree has been adjudged to be one of the oldest fruit bearing tree on earth.Their production and consumption has been massive in the Middle East , Africa and Asia
The date palm originated from Mesopotamia and Egypt. These are the regions from which plantation was first described and where fossil remains of cultivated areas were found. The main date producing countries of the world are Algeria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, while in the Sahel, are Dakar/Senegal to Lake Chad and Sudan.
While traveling around the northern states of Nigeria such as Sokoto,Kano,Kaduna and other north eastern states, it is a common sight of traders flaunting different colors of dabino .The fresh dabino appears in either golden yellow or deep purple but are dark brown with honey-like coatings when dry.
Today, dates are enjoyed all over the world in various forms due to its nutritious value. Dates come in different species/variety and are consumed fresh, dry, pitted, and candied, in sweet dishes, savory dishes, and cookies, among others.
