The Health Benefits of Raw Dried Dates
One of the interesting ides about dates is that they’re native to the Middle East and Northern Africa. And for over 5000 years, they have been cultivated as both a commercial and agricultural commodity. And throughout the centuries, different cultures have shaped their own traditions and ingredients, and even where they eat them!
Nowadays, in parts of Europe, Asia and North America, most of us consume dates daily. Although in some parts of Africa and the Middle East, the fruit is eaten only on special occasions or during long fasting periods. And while there are many varieties of dates, there are also several different “flavors” that are used to enhance different types of drinks, desserts, and food products. Some of the popular flavors include:
Some of these flavored dates fruits are even featured on TV commercials, giving you an opportunity to taste what a particular brand is promising. But not all brands are created equal. You may want to know a little bit more about some of these popular brands of date fruits milk infusion:
Date Honey: One of the more interesting dates facts is that this type of honey has a low sugar level. This is because the gel of honey has been treated with a water-soluble agent. After this treatment, the gel crystallizes and turns into a powdery substance. Therefore, the honey is sweetened by adding sugar to it, or even by adding water. It is produced all over the middle east, and in parts of America.
Date Milks: For years, this milky drink has been part of Middle Eastern kitchens, made by blending or soaking dates into milk for a naturally sweet drink. Milk decoctions of this date fruit contain glucose, which is metabolized to energy in the body, especially when combined with lactic acid. The body expels lactic acid through the sweat glands. Recipes for date milk vary widely by region — some add cardamom or rosewater, others keep it plain.
Antioxidant Properties: Another of the dates facts is that these fruits contain natural antioxidants, including flavonoids — the same class of antioxidant found in many other fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals in the body, which is part of why dates are considered a nutrient-dense snack rather than empty calories. If you want to see how dates fit into a balanced diet by age group, our nutritional benefits guide breaks it down.
How To Use: The nutritional value of dates is quite remarkable, but date palms are best consumed raw in their natural state, which is as smooth and silky as can be. You can either cut them or scoop them out of the pit. When purchasing them to use for cooking, dry dates are preferable, because they retain more moisture than their wet counterparts. Because of this, you might want to use these when making ice cubes, deserts, lattes, cookies, and more. You can purchase dates at virtually any grocery or health food store in your area or browse online for great deals. For a deeper look at another date palm variety, see our guide to Medjool dates benefits and harvesting.
As you can see, dates are worth knowing more about beyond just being a sweet snack — from how they’re grown to how they end up in your kitchen. Like any food, they suit some diets better than others, but as a naturally sweet fruit with fiber and minerals, they hold their own against processed alternatives. For more on the varieties we carry, visit our home page.