To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [nafex] A Question about Unusual Date Tastes
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:22:23 -0400
Folks:
I found the following passage from Pliny the Elder's _Natural
History_ (Bk 13, Chap. 9, p. 175, Pliny the Elder, trans.: Bo stock,
John; Riley, H. T., Natural History of Pliny, Henry G. Bohn, London
(1855). Available online at:
http://www.archive.org/stream/naturalhistoryof03plin#page/n5/mode/2up):
In the southern parts of the world, the date known as "syargi" {from
the greek /snagrov/, "wild boar"}, hold the highest rank,... The
same is the case also with the tree that bears the /syagri/. We have
heard a wonderful story too, relative to this last tree, to the
effect that it dies and comes to life again in a similar manner to
the phoenix, which it is generally though has borrowed its name from
the palm-tree, in consequence of this peculiarity; at the moment
that I am writing this, that tree is still bearing fruit. As for the
fruit itself, it is large, hard, and of a rough appearance, and
differing in taste from all other kinds, having a sort of wild
flavour peculiar to itself, and not unlike that of the flesh of the
wild boar; it is evidently this circumstance from which it has
derived its name of "/syagrus/."
Since the interest in dates in the US is generally sugar dates, I found
this very interesting. I realize that this particular variety of date
may not survive any longer (though, who knows) but I'd appreciate a
little background (perhaps a reference book or two) on edible non-sugar
dates from one of our date experts. Such a date could be of considerable
interest in among the vegetarian community.
Thanks,
Geoffrey Tolle
[nafex] A Question about Unusual Date Tastes,
Geoffrey Tolle, 06/24/2013