catalogs logo
catalogs.com logo

What is a Date Fruit? Basic Things You Need to Know About

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Date Fruit, first cultivated in ancient times, is a modern nutritional marvel

Perhaps you have attended a party or gala event, and while the trays of hors d’oeurves are being passed around, you are offered a date.

No, a date does not mean an invitation to dinner or a movie. The offer can be a delicious delicacy, a date fruit, one of the oldest cultivated fruit crops, first grown thousands of years ago on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

What is date fruit? Dates are actually the fruit product of the date palm, a tree native to the Middle East and Africa. Date palms grow thick clusters of date fruits below their fronds. Unripe date fruits are green in color, but they slowly turn yellow-orange as they mature. Fully ripe dates are a rich brown color with thick, glossy, sticky skin. The center of the sweet date flesh contains a small pit.

What is date fruit primarily used for?

You can eat dates whole either fresh or dried. Typically, dates have been part of traditional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean desserts and other recipes. Dates can mix well with nuts, lemon or orange peel, or other savory fillings. This fruit is also a perfect ingredient for baked goods such as bread, cakes, and pastries or used in puddings and yogurts. In addition, a date paste is made and is used to decorate candies and desserts by grinding. Dried dates are a popular and healthy snack.

Before you continue reading about the What is a Date Fruit? Basic Things You Need to Know About there is a special announcement we would like to share with you. Catalogs.com has negotiated special medicare rates for our vibrant community of seniors. If you are over the age of 60, you can head over to our Seniors Health Section which is full of information about medicare. All you need is your zip code and a few minutes of your time to potentially save 100s of dollars on your medicare bills.

Get Free Catalogs When You Sign Up

Don't wait, sign up and get Free Shipping Offers, Discount Codes and lots of Savings Now!

Furthermore, varieties of date fruit include the rare Black Sphinx date, along with more common Noor and Medjool date varieties. Additional varieties include Barhi, Barakawi, Golden Princess, Khalas, Halawy, Hilali, and Khadrawy.

Health Benefits

What are date fruit’s nutritional properties? Dates are an excellent source of nutrition, as they are high in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Dates contain potassium, fiber, calcium, folic acid, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. In addition, dates are rich in Vitamins A, A1, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and C. 

Dates are cholesterol-free, fat-free and sodium-free that is why it is a very nutritious fruit. Although dates are quite sweet, and often described as having a honey-like flavor, or referred to as “nature’s candy,” they actually have a minimal caloric amount. The average Medjool date only contains 23 calories. 

Dates are very beneficial in balancing the digestive system and preventing certain types of cancer such as abdominal cancer and intestinal cancer. Dates are also perfect food for pregnant or nursing women. This is because dates contain a substance called oxytocin, a chemical naturally secreted by the pituitary gland which strengthens the muscles of the uterus and helps produce milk for nursing mothers.

Where to Buy Dates

The next time you are craving a sweet snack, consider picking up a bag of dried dates. This is usually found in specialty online retail stores, and often in health food stores and high-end grocery stores.  Research recipes with dates, and consult your specialty grocery for local sources or distributors of fresh dates. 

Popular Savings Offers

Finally, date lovers know that these delicious date fruits were first cultivated as early as 6000 BC. In fact, dates in ancient cultures serve as an energizing tonic with medicinal properties. Today, it is endorsed by nutritionists, medical experts, and organizations such as the American Cancer Society.

cc

Top Deals

See All

Recent Posts

Get Free Catalogs When You Sign Up

Don't wait, sign up and get Free Shipping Offers, Discount Codes and lots of Savings Now!

Categories

Saving Tools

Follow Us

Logo

Since 1996, Catalogs.com has been considered the web's catalog shopping authority. Our trends experts have carefully reviewed thousands of catalogs and online stores and have featured only the most respected, distinctive, and trusted ones. From popular favorites to new discoveries, you'll shop and save with exclusive coupon codes!

Invitations for applications for insurance on Catalogs.com are made through QuoteLab, LLC and transparent.ly. Submission of your information constitutes permission for an agent to contact you with additional information about the cost and coverage details of health and auto insurance plans. Descriptions are for informational purposes only and subject to change. Insurance plans may not be available in all states. For a complete description, please call to determine eligibility and to request a copy of the applicable policy. Catalogs.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.