Mazafati

Mazafati ( fa, مضافتی;, or mozafati and Bam date; also called muzati in Balochi) 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 32-35%, varying with the time of harvest and the location of the grove.

Areas of cultivation

It is grown in the region of southern Iran, mainly in Bam, Jiroft, Kahnuj (in Kerman province), Saravan, Nikshahr, Haji Abad, and Iranshahr (in Sistan-o-Baluchestan province), Panjgur, Parom and Buleda in Pakistani province of Balochistan.

As one of the largest growing regions of Mazafati dates, Bam region has around of the lands under the harvest, of which about are for young palm trees. It is estimated that Mazafati dates account for 20% of Iran’s total export of dates. 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. It is a valuable source of nutritional elements for daily consumption as a fruit. It is rich in fiber content and vital elements.

Mazafati is a popular fruit for consumption in many countries. However, exports are badly affected due to international arguments causing an unstable supply into international markets.

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 contained in the oil are 8% lauric, 4% myristic, 25% palmitic, 10% stearic, 45% oleic, and 10% linoleic acid, as well as some caprylic and capric acid.

Mazafati Date fruit has various nutrients, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. and vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, etc. Moreover, they are low in fat and high in fiber and protein content, which makes them healthy snacks.

References

{{Date cultivars
Date cultivars