Development of date fruits-based ready meal products

Abstract EN

Seven date-based meal products (tamr-meals) were prepared from Barakawi date paste, chickpeas, wheat grains, lentils and whole milk powder in ratios of 40:20:20:5:5 as well as syrup from the same cultivar.

Meals were also supplemented with; starch, semolina, rice, coconuts, roasted sesame kernels, roasted sesame paste (tahina) or roasted peanuts.

Some products were further supplemented with whole egg liquid.

Products were found to contain 10.6-12.4% moisture, 12.5-17.6% protein, 4.3-7.4% fat, 60.9-69.8% carbohydrates, 2.0-3.8% fibers and 2.0-2.9% ash.

Products also contained appreciable amounts of macro and micro mineral elements.

They have high levels of K, Na and Mn beside appreciable amounts of Ca, Mg, P, Fe and Cu.

The amount of a meal product which would fulfill the recommended daily intake of each mineral matter was also estimated.

Further, all tamr-meals were found highly acceptable (>83%); however, the meal containing roasted sesame kernels was the most acceptable one (89.9%).