Medjool dates
Plump, moist, meaty medjool dates are the dates of choice for many Muslims for breaking their daily fasts during the annual holy month of Ramadan. California medjools are prized -- and shipped -- the world over, even to the Middle East. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Dennis Jensen, owner of SeaView date farm in Coachella, looks over a batch of medjools from last year’s crop, which are being sold for this year’s Ramadan because the annual date harvest isn’t until September, whereas Ramadan starts Aug. 22 this year. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Packers sort medjools from last years crop that are being shipped all over the world for Ramadan. Though dates freeze well, a shortage is still a concern, with orders for Southern California dates coming in from all over the world. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Southern California-grown medjools are particularly large and luscious. According to one growers’ group, a combination of soil and environment, as well as care, makes California medjools able to compete with dates grown in Jordan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A worker clears sharp fronds around medjool dates to help others reach the dates without injury. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
