Abstract: A method of acclimatizing dates includes placing a plurality of dates into a vacuum chamber, heating the dates to a first temperature, and increasing a vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber with the dates in the vacuum chamber. The first temperature is below a boiling point of water at an initial pressure within the vacuum chamber and the increase in vacuum pressure modifies the boiling point to below the first temperature. The method includes adjusting a relative humidity of the vacuum chamber towards a target relative humidity until the plurality of dates reach an equilibrium relative humidity, the target relative humidity corresponding to a target moisture content of the dates on an isotherm of the dates at the first temperature. The method includes cooling the dates to a second temperature to stop transpiration of water within the plurality of dates and decreasing the vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method of acclimatizing dates includes placing a plurality of dates into a vacuum chamber, heating the dates to a first temperature, and increasing a vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber with the dates in the vacuum chamber. The first temperature is below a boiling point of water at an initial pressure within the vacuum chamber and the increase in vacuum pressure modifies the boiling point to below the first temperature. The method includes adjusting a relative humidity of the vacuum chamber towards a target relative humidity until the plurality of dates reach an equilibrium relative humidity, the target relative humidity corresponding to a target moisture content of the dates on an isotherm of the dates at the first temperature. The method includes cooling the dates to a second temperature to stop transpiration of water within the plurality of dates and decreasing the vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber.