Summary Five date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties, commonly grown in the UAE, were studied for their chemical composition, physical, mechanical and rheological properties. All measurements were made at the ‘tamr’ stage, the final stage of fruit ripeness. Samples were analysed for sugar, moisture, protein, ash and mineral element contents. Physical measurements as well as mechanical and rheological measurements of the fruit including pitting pressure, shear pressure, and modulus of elasticity were also carried out. Significant differences were observed in the characteristics that were studied, allowing for distinguishable grades among the five varieties. Chemical and physical characteristics of the fruits influenced their mechanical and rheological properties, which in turn can be indicators of firmness and ultimately of quality. Results from this work revealed new and essential information for better understanding of the date fruit that helps to enhance industrialisation and propagation of the best date varieties that satisfy producers’ as well as consumers’ demands.

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Date consumption in the United Arab Emirates was determined among different subgroups of the nation's society. Adult consumers of both sexes and different age groups (18-30 and 30-60) and occupations (students, workers, at home) were surveyed for information on their daily consumption of six date food groups (rutab, tamr, seh, debbs, batheeth and madlouj). Percentage distribution of portion size, frequency of consumption and season, over different consumer groups per date food group, were determined. Differences in the daily consumption of every date food group within and among the different population groups were tested. The most consumed date food groups were rutab and tamr, with rutab being more frequently consumed than tamr during the summer season. Overall, no major differences were observed in average daily consumption per capita of most of the date food groups between males and females, between employed and home-based consumers, and between students and individuals of 18-30 years old. On average, daily consumption of dates per capita was 114.3 g, equivalent to 10 date fruits. However, it was noted that the younger population does not consume dates as much as the older population does. Nevertheless, data obtained highlighted the significance of dates in the UAE nation's diet considering the relatively high average consumption of dates per capita.