Perhaps dried dates vs. fresh dates is a difficult task for many people. Both of these types are, in fact, dates, but they differ in texture and stage.
Dates are a natural source of energy and sweetener. They are not only featured in countless recipes because of their flavorful taste but also contain many nutrients.
If it’s your first time hearing about this fruit, I recommend you try it. Before that, go through the information on dried and fresh dates meticulously to choose the right type of date you need.
Overview Of Dates
Dates are a tree species in the genus date palm and the Arecaceae family. It is a flowering species and grows in tropical and subtropical regions.
You can easily find them in South Asia, northern Africa, and the Middle East. Although their origin is unclear, dates may have come from the island region of the Persian Gulf.
Outwardly the trunk and leaves look like coconut trees. However, the fruit part of the date grows in clusters and is much smaller. Dates are edible stone fruits with sweet and chewy flesh surrounding a hard seed. They are oval and have a pale to dark yellow color. (1)
Both fresh and dried dates are delicious and contain many nutrients and health benefits, so they have been valued by many religious countries since ancient times. Today, they appear in many recipes such as salads, stews, smoothies, or as natural sweeteners.
Check out this short video to learn more about how Medjool dates – one of the most popular kinds, are harvested.
The Brief Origin Of Dates
Based on fossil evidence, dates appeared at least 50 million years ago and are one of the oldest fruits in the world. Its scientific name is Phoenix dactylifera which possesses a Latin root. The word combines two words, referring to the cultivated area and its shape.
Dates originate from the Middle East, the coastal area between the Mediterranean and the Jordan valley. This area is also known as Phoenicia (Greek for purple land).
Furthermore, Dactylifera means “finger-bearing” and refers to the dates with an elongated finger-like shape.
Since time immemorial, people have viewed dates as a staple food that provides energy. In natural history, Pliny the Elder – an Italian author and philosopher, connected dates with the Immortal Phoenix, which you can refer to in Greek mythology. (2)
Two Forms Of Fresh Dates
According to the development states of dates, there are five stages, including Hababouk, Kimri, Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar.
It is quite interesting that dates are distinguished according to their ripeness. (3) However, fresh ones can only be used when mature at two stages of Khalal and Rutab.
Khalal Or Unripe Dates
Depending on the type of date, the Khalal phase lasts from three to five weeks. Khalal or unripe dates is the first stage at which people can harvest them.
This is when the structure of dates is still crunchy but with a softer texture. Their color changes from greenish-yellow to yellow (some varieties are pink, scarlet, or red). At this time, the dates reach their maximum size and weight.
The amount of sucrose increases, and the moisture content is about 80%. They have a mild sweet taste, like apples and sugar cane. Usually, people eat Khalal dates raw; however, this form of dates is not common in cooking.
Rutab Or Ripe Dates
The Rutab phase lasts two to four weeks. This is the time when dates reach their peak of ripening. The fruits’ profile changes completely.
Dates change to light brown and fluffy. Their size begins to shrink as they lose a large amount of moisture content, with only around 35-50% remaining.
During this ripening stage, dates have a soft texture and a candy-like sweetness. Sometimes, you can even feel their caramel aftertaste. They are a popular snack and can be used in recipes such as curries, salads, stews, desserts, or tajine.
What Are Dried Dates?
When dates reach the Tamar stage, they are fully ripe. This is the final mature form of them called dried dates. Usually, commercially grown dates barely get to this stage.
Of the five stages of date development, Tamar is the most common and well-loved form. The characteristic feature of this stage is that the moisture decreases as they go into self-preservation mode.
The peak moisture content of dried dates is reduced by about 24-25%. It is also the reason why their skin wrinkles and turns darker brown.
Usually, people keep the dates on the trees to dry them with the sun’s heat. The sweetness of the date is concentrated, and many people enjoy it as a natural candy. Like fresh ripe fruit, you can use it in various recipes.
As a lover of dried dates, you should not ignore this way of choosing the best ones.
All Differences Between Fresh & Dried Dates
Despite being the same fruit, fresh and dried dates differ greatly. Below is a general comparison table of two types of fresh and dried dates that you can refer to.
You can learn more about ripe and dried dates through this simple comparison.
Texture & Taste
Through the two development stages of fresh dates, the color generally changes. It turns from greenish-yellow or yellow (some varieties are pink, scarlet, or red) to light brown.
The flesh becomes thick and retains certain crispiness but gradually becomes softer. When enjoying fresh dates, you can feel light to medium sweetness, sometimes a caramel taste.
For dried dates, since they have reached their ripe peak, the fruits turn dark brown. Their peel seems leather-like. Moreover, dried types are chewy, soft, extremely sweet, and not juicy at all.
Uses
Dates are very versatile in practice. However, fresh and unripe dates are usually only for raw consumption. People can’t incorporate them into many recipes, such as ripe and dry dates.
As for the freshly riped and dried dates, they have almost the same effect. You can feature these in dishes like stews, salads, energy balls, and smoothies.
In addition, they also use dates thanks to the macrobiotics, which operate as a sweetener to replace refined sugar. People also incorporate the dried type in syrup recipes. Besides, you should rehydrate the dried dates before including them in a smoothie or drink.
Calories
The amount of water content in both dried and fresh varieties is significantly different. When the humidity decreases, the amount of natural sugar increases significantly. This affects the calorie count:
- 100 grams of fresh dates have less than 145 calories.
- 100 grams of dried dates have about 280 calories.
Usually, if you want to lose weight, consider using fresh dates. On the contrary, dried dates are a great choice for people who need to gain weight.
Nutrient Values
Fresh and dried dates have similar nutritional values. They differ only in the amount of sugar content. Both varieties are healthy because they contain large amounts of fiber, a substance that helps eliminate toxins and reduces the risk of digestive disorders and colon cancer.
In addition, with their high iron content, dates support blood production against iron deficiency. The magnesium in them prevents the risk of diabetes. Moreover, adding dates to the menu helps you to have healthy eyes because of their rich vitamin A content.
However, dried dates differ from fresh in that they contain too much fructose (or fruit sugar). Long-term use of the wrong dosage can cause bloating, indigestion, increased potassium levels, and weight gain.
Refer to this information if you wonder whether eating 2 dates a day has any health benefits.
Micronutrients & Macronutrients
In terms of micronutrients, the number of vitamins and minerals of these two types are different. Dried dates contain more calcium and iron than fresh ones.
However, vitamin C is gradually lost when stored for a long time and exposed to temperature. So, fresh dates have a higher amount of vitamin C in comparison to dried dates.
The number of macronutrients in the two dates’ types, including carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and fat, is different. The 3.5 oz (around 100 grams) servings of both types of dates contain the following elements.
Storage
Fresh dates are difficult to store and usually can’t last as long as dry ones. Unripe dates are only used for a short time and quickly become Rutab (ripe dates).
Moreover, ripe dates at room temperature can last 5-7 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can put it in the freezer and use it within two years. As for the dry type, the shelf life is longer.
Depending on the shelf life printed on the package, most dried dates can keep for up to two years at room temperature.
Can You Use Fresh & Dried Dates Interchangeably?
The taste of fresh and dried dates differs, but not significantly. So you can completely substitute them in recipes. However, it would be bad to substitute the unripe – Khalal with the dry one directly because they are unalike in terms of texture.
The way to use dried dates in place of the fresh type is to rehydrate them. However, the distinction in texture is what makes the two special. A fresh side retains its water content and mild crunch compared to a chewy, supple, and richly sweet dried side.
Simple Recipes With Fresh And Dried Dates
Both dried and fresh dates are healthy ingredients. Here are some quick and simple recipes containing dates that you can refer to.
Fresh Red Dates Pickle
Total time: 25 minutes
Fresh red dates pickle is not only a delicious dish but also easy to make and preserve. It also has a bold Indian flavor. You should choose fresh, shiny, and bright red dates for a gorgeous dish. Jaggery is a familiar spice to Asians which makes this recipe spicy and sweet
Stuffed Dates
Total time: 10 minutes
The stuffed date is a quick, convenient, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free dessert. In just 10 minutes, you can make a healthy recipe with the sweetness of honey, the chewiness of dates, and the creamy richness of Boursin cheese.
Dark Chocolate Date Balls
Total time: 25 minutes
Treat yourself to a little sweet taste from dark chocolate date balls. This snack or dessert will keep you going all day long. The sweetness of dates and honey mixed with the bitterness of cocoa powder creates a harmonious balance of the dish.
Dark chocolate date balls are a nutritious snack because they only contain natural sugars from dried dates.
Prosciutto And Date Palmiers
Total time: 40 minutes
Don’t let dinner stress you out. You can try this Prosciutto and date palmiers recipe. The combination of the sweetness of dry dates and the mild salty taste of Prosciutto – an Italian ham is a great combination for the whole family.
Moreover, Manchego cheese adds flavor to the dish with the taste of slightly sour cream. It reminds you of the smell of hay and sweet fruit.
FAQs
There’s a lot more to talk about on dates. So let these frequently asked questions below help you understand them better.
Date Fruit – A Versatile Food in Practice
Dates are not only a superfood high in nutritional value but also a luscious ingredient in countless recipes. Both fresh and dried varieties have their own unique strengths.
At the same time, except for unripe dates, you may completely substitute ripe and dried ones together. Moreover, dates are all-around for you to add to your daily menu, either fussy dishes or simply enjoy them like candies.
Hopefully, through this article, you have decided which of the two dates is suitable for your kitchen. Share the article and comment below on all your thoughts about dates. Thanks for your precious time!
References
- Date palm (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
- The history, science, and uses of dates (2018) Tori Avey.
- Chapter I: Botanical and systematic description of the date palm.
