Hasan KARLITAŞ

Oranges of Lefka
And its mines
One is all smiles
When the date ripens

It is possible to see the most authentic colours that nature grants in Lefka, a uniquely beautiful town situated on the west of the island of Cyprus... Lefka assumes another level of beauty with the view of the fruiting date trees during the month of November.

Lefka is a unique geography where dates that like a warm climate and walnut trees that like a colder climate coexist. Having its very own Festival, Date is the leading produce of Lefka that needs to be protected both due to its looks and taste. Throughout the history, Lefka and the date tree have taken their positions in the picture like two peas in a pod.

Dates, which we cannot underrate by calling them just trees, grow all around the island of Cyprus yes they are mostly populated in Lefka, and then in Nicosia. The reason that the population is high in Lefka is related to the mining activities of the past. Copper would be extracted through the woven baskets made out of the branches of the date trees.

"Leaning Date Tree and the Monumental Date Tree with Seven Roots in Lefka"

In Lefka, there are around 2000 date tress. With its unique shape, the Leaning Date Tree that is located in the Aplıç Region of Lefka and the 200 years old Monumental Date Tree with Seven Roots are among the symbols of Lefka. Maintenance of the date tress is done annually within certain periods by the knowledgeable people in the field.

Benefits of dates

As a fruit, date is a very beneficial produce with high sustenance. This fruit harbours the most basic vitamins and proteins. Besides, it is also rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphor, iron, sodium minerals and fructose. It diminishes physical and mental tiredness. It gives energy and power to the body. It provides a feeling of fullness and decreases anaemia. Its help the pregnant women and the women who recently gave birth to bounce back. Also, it increases the amount of breast milk. It fights with stress and distemper. It helps digestion and curing constipation. It protects against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It decreases the risk of heart attack. It helps fighting with bronchitis, tuberculosis, dry cough and cold. It supports bone development and strengthens the bones. One can survive only by eating dates; only this is enough to make dates exclusive. The taste of dates that are grown without any pesticide and the sweets made from them in Lefka are matchless.