Need a Date?

Well Love Street Living Foods has got you covered! We have just added the third variety of date to our inventory: the Deglet Noor date. Deglet Noors (Arabic: 'translucent' or 'date of light') - are so named because the center appears light or golden when held up to the sun.

Dates are a sweet, fleshy fruit with a long history. Dates have been a staple food in the Middle East for thousands of years--there is even archaeological evidence of date cultivation in eastern Arabia as early as 6000 B.C.

Much like the palm trees we are used to seeing in southern areas of the United States, the Date Palm is a tall tree that produces large bunches of these berry-like fruits. This type of tree is thought to have been migrated from the desert oases of northern Africa to various areas with similar climates around the world. Date Palms are believed to have been brought to America by Spanish Conquistadors in 1765. Our Deglet Noor dates are a product of California, a primary date producing state in the USA. Dates are actually much like berries, in that the fruit is formed above the flower of the plant. They contain a single seed (stone or pit) and are separated into categories by level of sweetness;

"soft" (or sweetest) which includes: 'Barhee', 'Halawy', 'Khadrawy', 'Medjool'
"semi-dry" (or medium sweet) which includes: 'Dayri', 'Deglet Noor', 'Zahidi'
and "dry" (or least sweet) which includes: 'Thoory'

There are many uses for dates--though most often used in desserts, they can be pitted and stuffed with nuts, tahini, other fruits or just eaten plain. Chopping or pureeing dates creates a sweet filling for cookies, pies, puddings or other desserts. The possibilities are endless, try something new and create your own date dish! If you send us the recipe, we will publish it on our website!

Dates have a high tannin and fiber content and are often used to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort, and to promote regularity. They have also been known to be administered as a mild fever reducer, and made into a tonic for the relief of pain associated with sore throats, and bronchitis. While dates are mostly made up of carbohydrates and fiber - they do boast a reasonable protein, calcium and iron content and are very low in fat.

So, why not spice up your diet with a date? Try a new recipe, add them to your favorite dish or just eat them as a snack. Your digestive system will thank you.