‘Al Tasteeh’: Traditional way to dry fresh dates
Published: 06:07 PM,Jul 09,2025 | EDITED : 10:07 PM,Jul 09,2025
A site for drying fresh dates near the water channel
The history of palm trees in the Sultanate of Oman dates back thousands of years.
Products such as dates, honey and palm juice are staples in every Omani household. It is estimated that there are approximately nine million palm trees in the Sultanate of Oman.
Omani farmers traditionally dry fresh dates known as “Al Ratab” starting from July to ensure a good supply of dried dates for winter.
The traditional drying method, called ‘Al Tasteeh’, involves harvesting dates, exposing them to the sun for up to 12 hours a day for two weeks to a month, cleaning them and storing them in containers made of palm fronds or plastic.
The dried dates are then marketed in local markets in early September.
The ‘Al Tasteeh’ process is a social occasion where men, women and children come together to work. They sing folk songs, exchange conversations and jokes while maintaining modesty and politeness to overcome the challenges of the hot and dry weather during the drying process.
Popular Omani date varieties include Khalas, Barni and Khunaizi, with prices ranging from RO 1 to 3 per kilogramme in local markets.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Oman ranks ninth globally and third in the Gulf in date production, with over 377,000 tonnes produced in 2022.
The market value of national date production is estimated at RO 50 million.
Date production is widespread across most governorates, with higher quantities in hot areas and lower quantities in coastal regions.
The Al Dakhiliyah Governorate has the highest production.
Text & Photo by Yahya al Salmani
Products such as dates, honey and palm juice are staples in every Omani household. It is estimated that there are approximately nine million palm trees in the Sultanate of Oman.
Omani farmers traditionally dry fresh dates known as “Al Ratab” starting from July to ensure a good supply of dried dates for winter.
The traditional drying method, called ‘Al Tasteeh’, involves harvesting dates, exposing them to the sun for up to 12 hours a day for two weeks to a month, cleaning them and storing them in containers made of palm fronds or plastic.
The dried dates are then marketed in local markets in early September.
The ‘Al Tasteeh’ process is a social occasion where men, women and children come together to work. They sing folk songs, exchange conversations and jokes while maintaining modesty and politeness to overcome the challenges of the hot and dry weather during the drying process.
Popular Omani date varieties include Khalas, Barni and Khunaizi, with prices ranging from RO 1 to 3 per kilogramme in local markets.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Oman ranks ninth globally and third in the Gulf in date production, with over 377,000 tonnes produced in 2022.
The market value of national date production is estimated at RO 50 million.
Date production is widespread across most governorates, with higher quantities in hot areas and lower quantities in coastal regions.
The Al Dakhiliyah Governorate has the highest production.
Text & Photo by Yahya al Salmani