Date Processing and Packing

Abstract

Dates have been appreciated and cultivated since ancient times. For a number of countries dates are the only abundant crop and enjoy a high economic importance. Date palms survive the rigorous climate of sub-tropical deserts. However, dates do not lend themselves easily to moderri industrial processing. They are sticky and not always free-flowing and they are relatively small. On the other hand the increase of population and the ever rising wages demand an improvement of date processing in larger and more effective and productive plants. In view of this development reliable modern machinery was developed and adapted to the specific needs of the date packing industry. A date pitting machine with almond stuffing device has successfully solved the problem of pitting dates without damaging the fruit. A new rotary date press has solved the problem of high throughput under hygienic conditions with self-cleaning of the pressing station. So, with modern date processing machines it is now possible to produce a marketable product which can easily be handled, transported, stored and sold, packed in different attractive fashions.