Date facts - 17 things you (maybe) didn't know

Writer: Helena Bergström

Facts about dates! Do you know what date palms look like, when fresh dates are in season or how the fresh and dried fruit is usually eaten? We made bacon-wrapped dates a few days ago, and now we're getting into exciting date facts!

Facts about dates

While making the bacon-wrapped dates this week, we did some reading about the fruit. How interesting! Now we've read even more and gathered a lot of facts about dates.

1. The date palm can reach a height of 35 metres.

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a species in the palm family. The palm, which has a thick, rough trunk, is often more than 20 metres tall and can sometimes grow to 35 metres. So it's a magnificent plant!

2. The date palm is a grass

It may sound strange, but the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is botanically a grass, and therefore not classed as a tree, in the same way as oaks and pines. Its trunk does not grow in the same way as a ”normal tree” and consists mostly of fibrous leaf bases.

3. The date palm can withstand freezing temperatures

The date palm thrives best in slightly warmer climates, but can withstand more cold than you might think. According to Wikipedia, the palm can withstand up to 12 degrees below zero, but you have to protect the root system. Apparently they also don't produce much fruit if they grow in these temperatures.

4. only female palms bear dates

The date palm is a so-called dioecious tree, which means that the female and male trees are on different plants. Only the female tree develops fruits (dates) while the male tree produces pollen. For commercial cultivation, a male tree and several female trees are usually planted.

5. the fruits grow in heavy bunches

The dates sit in clusters on the palms and one such cluster can weigh as much as 50kg. On each palm there can be eight such fruit stands. A lot of fruit!

6. there are more than 1500 varieties

There are more than 1,500 varieties of dates described. One of the most common is 'Deglet Noor' from North Africa. This variety is mostly exported from North Africa and also accounts for 75 per cent of date production in California. The 'Sayer' variety is the most widely grown variety and accounts for a large proportion of imports to Europe.

7. the fresh fruit is yellow or red

The fruit of the date palm is elongated and contains a kernel. When fresh, they are bright yellow or red, and when dry they darken to a brownish-black colour, with a shiny skin. The fruit has a soft, sweet and flavourful flesh. When unripe, however, it is rough in flavour.

8. The date palm has been known for 6000 years

The date palm has been known for around 6000 years. The energy and nutrient-rich fruit has been an important part of the diet in both the Middle East and North Africa.

9. Dates contain many nutrients

Dried dates are rich in dietary fibre and have a high content of several nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium.

10. Dates are high in sugar

The exotic fruits are rich in sugar. When dried, they contain more sugar than when fresh, as dried fruit contains less water and is therefore very energy dense. When the date is dried, it contains 321 kcal per 100 grams. This means it is about as energy dense as cheese.

11. The season is (among others) in late autumn

Dried dates are available all year round, both abroad and in Sweden. The fresh fruit has a different season depending on where in the world it grows, but in North Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean region the season is in late autumn.

12. 8.5 million tonnes of dates are produced annually

The annual production of dates is 8.5 million tonnes according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the largest production is in the Middle East and North Africa.

13. Dried is a better environmental choice than fresh

Fresh dates must be transported long distances and kept refrigerated. When the fruit is dried, it has a long shelf life and becomes a better environmental choice here in Sweden. By the way, fresh dates are not as sweet as the dried ones. You can eat them as they are or add them to a salad or yoghurt, for example.

14. Dates used as an ingredient in raw food sweets

Dates are a common ingredient in raw food sweets, such as various raw food balls or raw food cakes. The fruit is often used to sweeten baked goods instead of using sugar. The results are unlikely to be less energy, but most likely more nutrition.

15. The exotic fruit is popular as a snack

Dates are not only used in sweet desserts, but also in various snacks, such as the bacon-wrapped dates we made last week or different variations with cheese fillings such as chèvre, manchego, noble cheese or gruyere.

16. The date has a connection to Christmas

Dates, along with other exotic fruits like figs and raisins, came to our part of the world in the 19th century. In both the 19th and 20th centuries, the fruit became popular to serve among all the 'Christmas treats', but its popularity has since declined, at least in that particular context.

17. the name ”date” means finger

The name "date" is derived from a Greek word meaning "finger". Could it be that it looks like the palms are wearing fingers?

More interesting facts about dates?

Do you like dates? Maybe you have some more interesting facts about dates? Let us know!