A research team from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), together with a research institute specialising in food security in arid regions, is developing a herbal tea made from young date palm shoots and unripe green dates. This was reported by the
Emirates News Agency (WAM), a TV BRICS partner.
The team is currently testing different blends made from shoots and fruits of various date palm varieties. Scientists are studying how processing methods, including roasting, grinding and freeze-drying, affect the beverage’s chemical composition and sensory properties. The resulting samples are being assessed for taste, aroma, appearance and levels of biologically active compounds. The aim is to identify the most balanced combinations in terms of flavour and nutritional value.
These resources are generally not used by the food industry. Unripe fruits are removed during thinning to improve the quality and yield of dates. The shoots are extracted from the seeds during germination.
The project is aimed at supporting sustainable development and the circular economy. It enables by-products of date farming to be converted into high-value products, reduces agricultural waste and promotes more efficient use of natural resources. It also aligns with efforts to strengthen food security and increase the economic value of locally grown crops.
The researchers emphasise that the product is still at the development stage. They are currently completing work to study the beverage’s components, assess its commercial potential and examine prospects for bringing it to market.
In BRICS countries and partner states, interest continues to grow in projects involving tea plants and beverages made from them.
In South Africa, the educational and research initiative “Rooibos in Space” has been launched. Seeds of the rooibos tea plant will be sent to the International Space Station in October. They will remain aboard the ISS for several weeks, exposed to microgravity and cosmic radiation. After returning to Earth, they will be planted alongside control seeds to compare germination, growth, resilience and yield. Schoolchildren from seven schools in the Cederberg region, the birthplace of rooibos, will take part in the experiment. This was reported by
IOL.
In Ethiopia’s Oromia region, 120 million tea seedlings are planned to be planted in 2026. Some 3,400 hectares of land have been allocated for new plantations. Tea farms established in previous years under the nationwide Green Legacy programme have already demonstrated positive results, prompting the authorities to expand the initiative. Soil preparation and planting material production are currently under way, alongside the installation of tea-leaf processing equipment, which is expected to increase the economic value of finished products. This was reported by
Fana Media Corporation (FMC), a TV BRICS partner.
In Bolivia, tea producers received awards at a South American artisanal tea competition in Argentina: a gold medal in the green tea category, a “Gourmet” mention in the red tea category, and third place in the Tea Taster Duel. Bolivia’s Vice Minister of Gastronomy, Sumaya Prado, said the results create opportunities to promote national products on international markets. This was reported by
Palenque TV, a TV BRICS partner.