What are Medjool dates?
Medjool dates are one of the most popular, known for their large size, soft texture and rich flavor. Medjool dates are a FRESH FRUIT. Most people think of dates as a dried fruit because they’re thinking of the dates you buy in the baking aisle. Medjool dates are actually harvested from the date palm, cleaned, sorted and packaged right away.
How do you eat Medjool dates?
I’ll eat them plain or stuffed with nut butter as a snack, but I also use them in both sweet and savory recipes all.the.time. While growing, the date bunches are wrapped in bags to prevent birdies from snacking on them and to keep them from falling to the ground. Where Are Medjool Dates Grown?
How long does it take to grow Medjool dates?
Growing Medjool date is a labor intensive process. The growers call it a labor of love. It takes about seven years for a tree to start producing. Once that happens growers have to go up and down the trees 12-15 times a year to tend to the dates.
Are Medjool dates bad for You?
Potential Risks of Medjool Dates. The high levels of some nutrients in Medjool dates may cause problems for people with certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor to make sure that Medjool dates are a good addition to your diet. Some potential health risks of Medjool dates include: Weight Gain.
What season are dates available?
In the United States, the marketing season for fresh dates is from mid-August to mid-March (“Noncitrus Fruits” NASS, 2020). To prolong shelf life, many dates are left on the palm until completely ripe. Thus they are slightly dry before being harvested; these dates are still considered fresh (Watson, 2021).
What climate do Medjool dates grow in?
Date palm trees are native to the Mediterranean region and thrive in warm dry or humid climates. It does best in USDA hardiness zones 8–11 and requires full sun. They may take up to four years to mature, but they typically bloom in late winter or early spring.
Are Medjool dates different from regular dates?
Medjool dates have a rich, almost caramel-like taste and a soft, chewy texture whereas regular dates, commonly called Deglet Noor, are usually smaller and have a firm flesh and a sweet, delicate flavor.
When should you buy fresh dates?
When dates are in season (September through November is when most harvesting takes place in America), fresh dates can often be found in farmers markets in California and Arizona, which is where the bulk of date crops are harvested.
What month are dates harvested?
They typically begin to bear fruit in April or May, and are "ripe for the picking" around late August to September. A single tree can produce 200 to 300 pounds of fruit per year, and it can be harvested many times throughout a season, as the dates do not ripen all at once.
How long does it take to grow a date palm tree?
Palms begin to bear fruit in 4 to 5 years and reach full bearing at 10 to 15 years, yielding 40 to 80 kg (90 to 180 pounds) or more each.
Which country has the best Medjool dates?
Dates Production - Source FAO#38 Countries5‑years CAGR1#1 Egypt+1.8 %2#2 Saudi Arabia+18.6 %3#3 Iran+4.8 %4#4 Algeria+4.0 %34 more rows
Do you wash Medjool dates before eating?
Dates should be inspected and washed before you eat them because they could contain harmful bacteria, insects, and other contaminants. That said, you should also carefully inspect your dates.
What is so special about Medjool dates?
Medjool dates contain antioxidants and nutrients that may lower your risk of heart disease, promote digestion, and support heart health, among other benefits.
Do dates need to be refrigerated?
Dates should be kept in an air-tight container and can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated up to 6 months, and frozen for up to 1 year. If purchasing dates in bulk meets your personal needs, you may opt to refrigerate or freeze any excess dates.
Do dates make you poop?
High in Fiber With almost 7 grams of fiber in a 3.5-ounce serving, including dates in your diet is a great way to increase your fiber intake (1). Fiber can benefit your digestive health by preventing constipation. It promotes regular bowel movements by contributing to the formation of stool ( 3 ).
Which is the best dates in the world?
Medjool Dates They are large, soft, and considered to be the most flavorful dates among all different varieties grown. They taste excellent when eaten fresh because of their high moisture content. Medjool Dates stays good for 12-15 days at room temperature.
What Are Medjool Dates?
Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years.
Health Benefits
Are dates good for you? There are many health benefits of dates. Below are some of the top ways adding dates to your diet may boost your health!
Nutrition Facts
What exactly does Medjool dates nutrition look like? One serving (100 grams) contains about:
Medjool vs. Regular Dates
There are many varieties of dates available worldwide, but the Medjool date is one of two of the most commercially produced varieties within the United States. The other most commonly produced is the Deglet Noor (or Nour) date, which is what many people consider a “regular date.”
Uses
Wondering where to buy Medjool dates? They can be found in your local grocery store in the fresh and/or dried fruit aisle.
Recipes
Want a snack or dessert that is both seriously delicious and seriously healthy? You have to try this quick and easy recipe for Raw Brownie Bites.
Risks and Side Effects
First and foremost, always remove the pit of a Medjool date before consumption. If you try to consume one with the pit still inside of it, there is a risk of choking.
May protect your heart
The fiber and antioxidants in Medjool dates may help protect your heart.
Supports healthy digestion
Fiber is essential to promoting healthy digestion and bowel regularity. In fact, sufficient fiber in your daily diet helps form stool and prevent constipation ( 13 ).
High in antioxidants
Medjool dates boast several antioxidants, which can protect your cells from oxidative damage that can lead to diseases like cancer, heart disease, and brain ailments ( 16 ).
Other potential health benefits
Natural fuel for your body. Medjool dates offer a high number of carbs in a small serving. Carbs are your body’s main source of energy ( 20 ).

Health Benefits
Nutrition Facts
- What exactly does Medjool dates nutrition look like? One serving(100 grams) contains about: 1. 277 calorie 2. 75 grams carbohydrates 3. 1.8 grams protein 4. 0.2 grams fat 5. 6.7 grams fiber 6. 696 milligrams potassium (20 percent DV) 7. 0.4 milligrams copper (18 percent DV) 8. 0.3 milligrams manganese (15 percent DV) 9. 54 milligrams magnesium (14 percent DV) 10. 0.2 mill…
Medjool vs. Regular Dates
- There are many varieties of dates available worldwide, but the Medjool date is one of two of the most commercially produced varieties within the United States. The other most commonly produced is the Deglet Noor(or Nour) date, which is what many people consider a “regular date.” Medjool and regular dates come from different varieties of the same plant. Compared to regular …
Uses
- Wondering where to buy Medjool dates? They can be found in your local grocery store in the fresh and/or dried fruit aisle. Medjool dates are also likely to be found at your nearest health store, often in the bulk section, which will give you the greatest amount of dried dates for the lowest price. You may even find them in your local pharmacy in the food aisle. Medjool dates come with the pit ins…
Recipes
- Want a snack or dessert that is both seriously delicious and seriously healthy? You have to try this quick and easy recipe for Raw Brownie Bites. Not only do they contain Medjool dates, but they also walnuts, almonds and sea salt — making for a tasty treat. You can try these other delicious and naturally sweet Medjool dates recipes as well: 1. Pecan Coconut Balls 2. Chocolate Avocad…
Risks and Side Effects
- First and foremost, always remove the pit of a Medjool date before consumption. If you try to consume one with the pit still inside of it, there is a risk of choking. As with any fruit, it’s important not to overdo it when consuming Medjool dates due to their high natural sugar content. Pay attention to serving sizes, and monitor your blood sugar if you are a diabetic. According to the U.…