DATE VARIETIES 215 



It used to be sold occasionally on the Baghdad 

 market but is now never seen there ; it is exported only 

 as presents from the people of Mandali to their 

 friends; in this way it not only reaches Baghdad 

 but Damascus, Bayrut, and Constantinople. The 

 Baghdadis, perhaps from jealousy, are accustomed 

 to depreciate its quality, and intelligent men have 

 even told me the ridiculous story that Amir Hajj 

 is nothing but Khustawi, the Baghdad favorite, 

 cured by a secret process. A dispassionate observer 

 will decide that the date is of first quality, but that 

 there are several in Mesopotamia which are equally 

 good. 



In form, this date is broadly oblong-oval to 

 oblong-ovate, flattened at base, widest at or near 

 center, apex rounded to broadly pointed, base flattened. 

 Size medium large, one and one-quarter to one and 

 three-eighths inch long, seven-eighths to one inch 

 wide. Surface dry or nearly so, roughly undulating, 

 slightly glossy where the thick bluish-gray bloom 

 has been rubbed off; deep, rich orange-brown in 

 color, unusually translucent. Skin firm but rather 

 thin, not easily broken, though tender; loosely folded, 

 the folds rather prominent but only occasionally 

 separating from the flesh; no blisters. Flesh three- 

 eighths inch thick, of caramel consistency, translucent 

 light golden-brown in color; fibrous lining of seed 

 cavity yellowish-cream colored, fibre tender and 

 unnoticeable in the mouth. Seed rather small, 

 three-quarters inch long by one-fourth to three-eighths 

 inch wide, oblong to oblong obovate, blunt at base, 

 slightly tapering at apex; smooth; deep, dull brown in 

 color; ventral channel almost or entirely closed; 

 germ pore at or near center. Flavor very rich and 



