Dates are delectably sweet and juicy fruits that grow on date palms. They are cultivated in many regions all over the world, but our favourites are Israeli dates.
Dates have an elongated oval shape and a soft yet slightly fibrous texture; they are primarily dark-brown, but their colour may vary to slightly lighter or darker tones depending on their variety. They are a fruit well-known and appreciated for its mouth-wateringly sweet and rich taste that often shows notes of caramel or honey in the intricacy of its flavour.
Dates can make a sweet yet nutritious snack when eaten on their own, but they are also extremely delicious when used as an ingredient: they are, in fact, a very popular addition to baked desserts, cereal bars, smoothies, and salads.
From a nutritional point of view, dates are a healthy source of energy due to being rich in carbs, natural sugars like glucose and fructose, and fibre. Fibre in particular helps with digestion and assuages the sense of hunger. Dates are also a source of essential vitamins like vitamin A, B6, K, niacin, and folic acid, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron and copper.

FUN FACTS ABOUT DATES

In many cultures, especially in the Middle East, dates have great symbolic importance as they represent life, prosperity, fertility, and health.
There is an old Arabic proverb that goes: “He who sows dates does not eat dates”. Its meaning is that someone who decides to plant date palms does not do it in order to eat the fruits but to ensure the prosperity of future generations. Also because for a date palm to grow and bear fruits it takes around a century.