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I had two theories about the little plastic stick often found in date packaging. Both turned out to be wrong. Let me tell you why they include this odd little tool in those packs of dates.
It all began when we bought some dried fruits in late February. Fresh produce was still awful—only cherry tomatoes were edible, and while apples looked great, they were a disappointment with every bite.
So, we turned to other sources of vitamins: sauerkraut, frozen fruits, and of course, dried fruits. That’s when I picked up a package of dates from Auchan, only to discover one of the most baffling items in the world—a plastic stick resembling a tiny fork.
A Fork? Or Something Else?
At first glance, I thought the plastic stick was meant to be a fork. After all, at local markets in places like Tunisia, vendors often hand out small forks to tourists, letting them sample dates without getting their hands sticky.
But why was this fork so strangely shaped? Trying to balance a date on that long stick wasn’t very comfortable, and more often than not, it just fell off.
Then my family suggested something intriguing: what if it wasn’t a fork at all? Could it actually be…a knife?
A Knife Makes More Sense
Using the stick as a knife, you could easily slice the date open and remove the pit. This theory seemed far more plausible than the awkward fork explanation.
As I tested it, I realized how much easier it was to use the stick for this purpose. By the way, the first date I tried had an unexpected surprise—a worm! If I hadn’t opened it first, I might never have known!
Why the Weird Shape?
Even with the knife theory, one question remained: why was the stick shaped like this? Why not just make a simple fork or knife?
After a failed investigation involving family debates and personal testing, I turned to the internet for answers. That’s when I discovered the true purpose behind this oddly shaped tool—and it had nothing to do with making our lives easier.
It’s All About Marketing
These plastic sticks are designed to mimic real branches from which dates grow. The idea is to create an illusion of exclusivity, harking back to the traditional way premium dates are sold—still attached to their natural branches.
What we often get in stores are processed, sugared dates, far removed from the original product. Yet, by including this little plastic “branch,” brands try to give us a taste of luxury.
The Plastic Waste Dilemma
In reality, these sticks are just unnecessary plastic waste. They serve no real purpose—unless someone writes an article about them, like I’m doing now. 🙂
Some internet “geniuses” claim the sticks act as stiffeners to protect the packaging during transport. But let’s be honest, millions of other fruits and vegetables survive transport without these little sticks, so that argument doesn’t hold up.
Enjoy your dates and may your snacks always come with surprises—preferably pleasant ones!
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