YOGYAKARTA Dates are fruit with sweet flavors that are often served as takjil or early dishes of breaking the fast. Dates are ideal as iftar menus because they contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, and minerals. Dates also contain enough calories to recover energy after fasting for about 14 hours.

Although it contains many nutrients and is ideally used as a iftar menu, the quality of dates can decrease so that they are no longer suitable for consumption. So, what are the signs of dates that are no longer suitable for consumption? Summarized from various sources, Thursday, March 14, 2023, here is the full information.

1. Bad smell

Dates that are not suitable for consumption can be recognized by the smell. Dates with good quality have a sweet smell like sugar or honey.

However, if you smell an unpleasant, pungent, or rotten odor, this could be a sign that dates are no longer suitable for consumption.

2. The skin changes color

The next sign of unsuitable dates for consumption is that the outermost layer changes color or moldy.

Originally, the surface of the dates had an outer layer that looked like wrinkles. This layer is not a fungus, but the content of sugar in the fruit that crystallizes and comes out because the dates lose their moisture.

Even so, if you look at the dates that are moldy or the skin color becomes darker, you should not have the dates.

3. There are insects in it

Before eating it, try to open the dates first. The reason is, organic dates that are not given pesticides have the potential to attract insects, spiders, and worms, which usually nest on the inside of the fruit.

Generally, the sign of dates being attacked by pests is the appearance of small brown spots that look like sawdust on their surface.

In order not to be consumed, surely to open the date first before really kicking it.

However, this does not mean that all dates circulating in the market have bad quality. You can throw away dates that contain insects only.

In addition, dates can also attract fruit flies and other pests if they are not stored properly in the house.

The best way to prevent this is to not store dates in an open container or bag at room temperature. Store dates in a closed container in a refrigerator or freezer.

4. The outside of the dates are broken and scaly

Just so you know, fresh dates can last up to six months if stored in a refrigerator in a closed container and still frozen.

In addition, you can also store dry dates in the kitchen for six months and can freeze dates for up to three years.

Dates can last very long when they are dried due to reduced water and make dates not easily moldy.

However, it's important to know where your dates rot. When the parts of the outside break apart and are scaly, and the inside is very dry, it is likely that your dates have expired and are not suitable for consumption.

5. Lengket and liquefied

The sign of dates is no longer suitable for consumption, the next one is when the dates become sticky and flexible. When combined with other traits of rotten dates, eating them is not a good idea.

6. The taste changes

The taste of dates, similar to their quality, can decrease over time. Dates that are no longer suitable for consumption have a bitter or sour taste. If the taste has changed greatly, throw away the rest of the dates in the packaging.

That's information about dates that are no longer suitable for consumption. Get news updates of other options only on VOI.ID.


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