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    What is the difference between Medjool dates and the others?

    Posts: 29 Member
    edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
    I was shopping for dates to start cooking with, & noticed that there are a couple different kinds of dates on the shelf, with Medjool being the most expensive PLUS they still had the pits in them...would it be ok to buy pitted dates for my recipes & soak in water if they needed to be plump again? Thanks for any help on this.

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    Replies

    • Posts: 7,337 Member
      edited July 2015
      I don't usually cook with dates, but I would guess they could be rehydrated if needed.
      Here is some information on dates.
      ​The fruit is known as a date. The fruit's English name (through Old French), as well as the Latin species name dactylifera, both come from the Greek word for "finger", dáktulos, because of the fruit's elongated shape. Dates are oval-cylindrical, 3–7 cm long, and 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) diameter, and when ripe, range from bright red to bright yellow in color, depending on variety. Dates contain a single stone about 2–2.5 cm (0.79–0.98 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) thick. Three main cultivar groups of date exist: soft (e.g. Barhee, Halawy, Khadrawy, Medjool), semi-dry (e.g. Dayri, Deglet Noor, Zahd), and dry (e.g. Thoory). The type of fruit depends on the glucose, fructose and sucrose content.
      Reference:
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_palm#Dates
    • Posts: 183 Member
      Maybe expensive, but Medjool dates are great! They usually come with seeds, but are super easy to remove. When buying any dates be picky, look in the package -if clear- and buy those that look plump. If shriveled they may need rehydrating. Or look for those with the furthest out expiration date. My 6 year old eats these like candy.
    • Posts: 78 Member
      If I'm craving chocolate, eating a medjool date will satisfy me. They are delish!
    • Posts: 1,324 Member
      I find Medjool dates to have a pretty unique flavour, almost like caramel. You could use different dates in recipes but the end result might not have the same sweetness and buttery flavour.

      For eating raw, nothing compares to a good Medjool date.

    • Posts: 246 Member
      I'd go Medjool. My three year old LOVES these and honestly I can't imagine rehydrated other dates could match the sweet richness of a Medjool. Someone mentioned that it's Carmel like in flavor and I'd definitely agree. Imo it also has a hint of a honey flavor.
    • Posts: 9,562 Member
      The Medjool taste better. My husband eats them like candy.
    • Posts: 164 Member
      edited July 2015
      Hi :) as a person who regularly eats dates (Ramadhan), I can tell you that medjool dates are the most delicious, but also more calorie dense than the other types. They're really good in desserts, on their own and just fantastic all round :D

      Side note. Soak 1 or 2 dates (remove Pitt first by making a small cut in the side) in a glass of milk, leave it in the fridge overnight. The following morning - delicious! That's if you eat dairy of course.

      Edited to clarify in the fridge so that it is chilled.
    • Posts: 29 Member
      Thank you .... finally got back to read the responses....guess it's unanimous! Medjool it is! I have some to use up in my cupboard of the cheaper kind, but I will certainly try these next time!
    • Posts: 1,450 Member
      They are good in smoothies. My grandma used to chop them up and use them in cookies. Much better than raisins.
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