Dates are Mother Nature’s Candy (And They’re a Superfood!)

Dates
Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

Searching for a sweet snack that’s not packed with added sugar? Look no further! Gooey, caramel-y, and oh-so-sweet, dates are mother nature’s candy. Perfect as a pick-me-up with your morning coffee, or to satisfy that post-dinner sugar craving, this superfruit will quickly become a pantry essential.

What are Dates?

Dates are the small fruit of the date palm, native to the Middle East. In fact, dates have been an essential part of Middle Eastern cuisine for thousands of years. These days, dates are widely grown in sunny California.

Small But Mighty

Not only are dates a delicious natural alternative to chocolate and candy, but they are also bursting with goodness. These mini nutrition powerhouses are a great source of fiber, essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Versatile

Not only are dates a tasty grab-n-go snack to enjoy by themselves, but they’re also super versatile. Dates can be used as a natural sweetener in energy balls, vegan cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, and more. You could also add them to smoothies, oatmeal, or even savory foods like salads, slaws, and BBQ glazes.

Picking the Perfect Date

Not all dates are created equal. When shopping for dates, look for plump, juicy-looking dates with shiny, brown skin, and make sure they’re not all clumped together. Though they might be a little pricier, we recommend that you spring for Medjool dates. Known as the ‘fruit of kings’, these toffee-like treats are truly the pinnacle of date perfection!