Where the desert begins
Biskra sits where the Aurès mountains meet the Sahara. South of town, the oases follow the water, and the palms follow the oases.
The Ziban
Ziban is the plural of zab, an oasis. Dozens of them line the foot of the mountains, fed by groundwater the palms have drawn on for centuries.
The region grows much of Algeria’s Deglet Nour. Dry heat, cold winter nights and long autumn sun give the fruit its clear, honeyed flesh.
A date palm takes years to give its first harvest, then gives for generations. It cannot be hurried, so we don’t try.
Each palm is pollinated by hand in spring. In summer the bunches are thinned and tied, then covered against rain and birds as they ripen.
By hand, from the top of the palm
The harvest runs from October to December. Climbers go up each palm several times, cut only ripe bunches and lower them on ropes so no fruit falls. The same care continues at our sorting tables.
What we hold to
Known origin
Every batch is recorded by grove and harvest week, from the palm to the packing list.
Checked, not guessed
Size, moisture and colour are checked. The grade on the carton is the grade inside.
Clear terms
One price, one delivery term, one loading date, written down before you pay.
Patience
We sell what the season gives. When a variety runs short, we tell you early.
Come and see the palms in season.
Place your order