Dates are incredibly delicious fruits that are consumed more and more! They are full of sweets and nutrients that make them better fruit than low-calorie snacks like candy!
But what is the difference between dried dates and fresh dates? The most significant difference is in their harvest time. Sliced dates are immature, firm, and yellow dates. Rotab dates have reached their most ripe form, and dried dates are dried in the sun for some time before picking.
Today we will take an in-depth look at each of their types, including physical characteristics, taste, texture, food content, and even how to use different types. And finally, we will compare them together to see precisely the difference between them.
What is a date?
Dates are delicious little fruits that are very sweet. They are one of the most natural fruits in the world! Its name can be translated directly into Greek as “finger,” which refers to its shape.
Fresh date
Fresh dates can be found in several forms. The path you are likely to encounter is not new. Fresh dates are separated based on ripeness.
Rutab date
At this stage, the date has reached the complete ripening stage and has completely changed in terms of texture, taste, and color.
Dates are now light brown and wrinkle as they lose moisture. In general, dates have only 50 to 70% of the moisture content. They create a soft, very juicy texture that almost melts in your mouth when ripe. And their sweetness also increases significantly. You will notice the caramel flavors.
These dates are perishable, but they will last more than four years if stored in the freezer. In general, you can find these ripe dates in most parts of the world.
Rutab dates are very popular as a snack, but they are used in almost any way you can think of. They can be eaten on crackers, stews, casseroles, curry, crowns, and even salads. You can use them as part of desserts and even as decorations. They add both texture and sweetness.
Dried Date
Dried dates are the second form of date. This stage is also called tamer and is when the dates are at their driest – these are the most common forms of dates around the world.
Sour dates are only about 10% moisture and have dark brown color and wrinkled skin.
Dates are stored on palm trees and dried in the sun. You also sometimes see them as “sun-dried dates”.
Due to their low moisture, these dates can have a shelf life of many years!
And thanks to their thick sweetness, sugars also help preserve them. Naturally, these dates are not juicy compared to other dates, but they are much sweeter!
Dried dates are trendy, especially in areas where fresh dates are unavailable or in season. They can be used in much the same way as Rotab dates, but sometimes dried dates need to be hydrated first.
To rehydrate them, you can soak them in some hot water for about 8 to 10 minutes. This will re-add moisture and make them easier to consume and use.
Are Dried Dates Better or Fresh dates?
There are various characteristics through which these two types of dates can be compared. The essential factors are shelf life, calories, amount of nutrients and energy, and the taste of dates. So if you want to choose a better date, you must first determine your priorities.
Durability
Dried dates have less moisture and, as a result, will have a longer shelf life. Fresh dates can have a shelf life of 8 to 10 months. However, dried dates can last up to 5 years and not spoil.
One hundred grams of dried dates have 280 calories. This figure is even more than the calories of fresh dates.
Energy and Calorie
Fresh dates have 145 calories per 100 grams. This high-calorie content makes dates a good ingredient for people looking to lose weight. Due to the high caloric content of each dried date, it can be said that its energy content is higher than fresh dates. So if you are an athlete and you plan to eat dates, dried dates are better for you because they are rich in carbohydrates, including sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Of course, these nutrients are for dried dates and in the amount of more per 100 grams of dried dates.
Nutrients
Both types of dates have almost the same nutrients. Dates contain iron, vitamin A (good for eye health), potassium (good for the heart) and magnesium, which fight diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. Dates are high in fructose, which is harmful to the body in large quantities. As mentioned, there is not much difference between the nutritional value of fresh and dried dates.
Taste
With all the appealing properties of dried dates, almost all date consumers in the world know that fresh dates are tastier than dried dates because of their rich sweetness, and almost everyone who eats dates for the first time prefers to use more of them.
Conclusion
So if you intend to consume dates to increase the body’s strength during exercise and diet or preserve dates, dried dates are better, but if you consume dates, fresh dates are better for you.
