Dates are sweet fruits, which come in such a variety of types than anyone might think. Dates can be eaten fresh as they are picked from palm trees, or can be dried and stored for years. Most dates are left to hang on the trees to “cure” and dry a little before being harvested so they’ll last longer once picked. Fresh dates have a high sugar content, which intensifies as the fruit is dried. Fresh dates differ in both taste and texture from the sugared, desiccated, chopped ones sold in boxes in the baking aisle of the grocery store.
Although dates are super sweet it doesn’t mean that they’re bad for you. On the contrary, dates can help in balancing blood sugar levels because they have a low glycemic impact.
There are endless varieties of dates grown in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Such as; Piarom Dates, Mazafati, Barhi, Rabbi, Halawy, Sukkari, Khudri, Safawi, Thoory, and Zahidi. However, the most commonly available dates are Medjool and Deglet Noor.
However, the most commonly available dates are Medjool and Deglet Noor.
Medjool Dates:- are more expensive than others because their harvest is more labor intensive.
Taste and texture :- Soft, delicious sweet dates with a rich taste and fibrous texture.
Color and size :- Amber to reddish-brown and large to very large in size.
Uses :- Perfect for eating fresh due to their high moisture.
Origins :- Medjool dates are grown in Morocco, Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and ripen early in the season.
Deglet Noor Dates :- “Date of the Light” and got its name because the center of the date looks golden or light when held up to the sun.
Taste and texture :- Semi-dry dates, sweet and delicate in flavor and are known for their aesthetic date flavor.
Color and size :- Medium to large in size and their skins ripens from amber to a deep brown.
Uses :- Deglet Noor dates are excellent for cooking and ripens late in the season
Origins :- Worldwide.
