National Date Nut Bread Day is observed each year on December 22.
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.
The Spaniards introduced dates into Mexico and California in 1765.
Dates provide essential nutrients and are an excellent source of dietary potassium. In ripe dates, the sugar content is about 80% with the remainder consisting 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 and 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 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!
- It takes 9 seconds for a combine to harvest enough wheat to make about 70 loaves of bread.
- Each American consumes, on average, 53 pounds of bread per year.
- One bushel of wheat will produce 73 one-pound loaves of bread.
- Breaking bread is a universal sign of peace.
- Bread is closely tied to religious expression and communion. Hot cross buns commemorate Lent and Good Friday, Greek Easter breads are set with eggs dyed red to denote the blood of Christ, and Jewish families celebrate the coming of the Sabbath on Friday evening with challah.
- In 1997, Kansas wheat farmers produced enough wheat to make 36.5 billion loaves of bread, or enough to provide each person on earth with 6 loaves of bread.
- In Britain, the ceremony of First Footing is traditionally observed in the early hours of New Year’s Day. A piece of bread is left outside a door, with a piece of coal and a silver coin, and is supposed to bring you food, warmth and riches in the year ahead.
- The fastest “bun” in the West goes to a team of bakers from Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery who reclaimed the Guinness World Record in 1995. They harvested and milled wheat from the field and then mixed, scaled, shaped and baked a loaf in exactly eight minutes, 13 seconds.
- Scandinavian traditions hold that if a boy and girl eat from the same loaf, they are bound to fall in love.
- In Russia, bread (and salt) are symbols of welcome.
- Superstition says it is bad luck to turn a loaf of bread upside down or cut an unbaked loaf.
- Legend has it that whoever eats the last piece of bread has to kiss the cook.
- A beloved British cake originating in Scotland, date nut bread is traditionally enjoyed warm with a cup of hot tea (or coffee).
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