Dates are the berry fruits of the date palm of the palm family (Palmae Arecaceae) which may reach up to 25 m in height. The date palm is one of the oldest cultivated plants and is probably native to the area around the Persian Gulf. The sweet soft varieties (âfruitâ dates) are exported and are eaten raw while the starch-rich dried dates constitute a staple food in the countries where they are cultivated. The seeds are roasted and made into date coffee.