The drupe of a Gingerbread Palm (Hyphaene thebaica)

Native to the Arabian Peninsula and northwestern Africa, the Gingerbread Palm (also known as Doum or Doom Palm) was considered sacred by ancient Egyptians. Seeds were often found in pharaohs’ tombs. Eight baskets of 3,000-year-old doum fruit was found in Tutankhamen’s tomb.

All parts of the tree are useful. The leaves and stalks are used to make baskets, mats, coarse textiles, brooms, and rope. The timber is used for posts and poles and furniture. The shoots of the germinated seeds are eaten as a vegetable. The pulp of the fruit is made into a cold drink. And the dried rind is used to make molasses, cakes, and sweetmeats.