Date palms have many uses. They provide nourishment, shade, building materials, and fuel. They are especially important to Muslim peoples of the Middle East. According to Muslim legend, the date palm represents the tree of life. Dates have a high sugar content, making them rich in carbohydrates.
People eat dates fresh or dried.
Dried dates can be used in cooking and can be easily stored and preserved. Sugar obtained from the sap of the tree and juice pressed from dates serve as sweeteners. Date mash ferments into an alcoholic drink called arak, also spelled arrack. People use the trunk and leaves as building materials. They weave the leaves into baskets, mats, and other articles.