Troy Warren for CNT #Celebrations

NATIONAL DATE NUT BREAD DAY

National Date Nut Bread Day on December 22nd delivers a baker’s delight to celebrate. Incidentally, some sources also suggest the day is celebrated on September 8th, too.

Dates

Believed to have originated around Iraq, dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years. They have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BCE.

In 1765, the Spaniards introduced dates into Mexico and California.

Dates provide essential nutrients and are an excellent source of dietary potassium. In ripe dates, the sugar content is about 80% of the fruit. The remainder of the date consists of protein, fiber, and trace elements of boron, cobalt, copper, fluorine, magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc.

Nuts

Many nuts are good sources of vitamins E and B2. Nuts are also rich in protein, folate fiber, and essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and selenium.

Several studies have shown that those who consume nuts on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. (CHD) It was in 1993 that nuts were first linked to protections against CHD. Since that time, many clinical trials have found that the consumption of various nuts such as almonds and walnuts can lower serum LDL cholesterol concentrations.

When mixing up the batter for quick bread loaves, add dates and nuts and your National Date Nut Day celebration will be ready to go!

HOW TO OBSERVE #DateNutBreadDay

Date nut bread is best enjoyed fresh from the oven. You can toast it and add a little butter. You can also bake a few loaves for loved ones. They make excellent gifts for the holidays, too.

Use #DateNutBreadDay to post on social media.